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From the AP at MSNBC 6 years later, U.S. expands Afghan base Bagram growing after first being envisioned as a temporary home.
Our Covenant. Remy Benoit
He walked the city streets at night all through the late forties. A car backfired, and he hit the ground. It is in the eyes; in the eyes where they have been, what they have seen —Oh, you’re back.
Dau Tieng. Michael Pectol
Getting Out of the Jungle. Harry Kieninger
Harry Kieninger, author of "When Can We Come Home: Understanding the Viet Nam Vet," served for six months as a combat medic at Cu Chi. He offers his advice and experience about how to come home.
Touching Creation. Remy Benoit
Commentary on Absolution. Michael Pectol
Where Did I Go?. Marla
Have you had many days where you felt like you Shattering? Here is one reader's advice a journey to a new self.
Peace Is a Can Do Thing. Remy Benoit
The natural extension of " Life, Liberty, and Happiness," is Peace for the planet. Realities begin with visions; take form with words; take on life with actions. "If not now, when; if not by me, by whom?"
Reflections on the Attack at the World Trade Center. John94
I have shared this country's, the world's numbness for the passed twenty-four hours.
Hearts Touching, Hands Holding. Remy Benoit
We came to a new place as a nation, as individuals, two weeks ago today.
Dear Friends and Fellow Americans. Dr. Tony Kern, Lt. Col, USAF (Ret)
Like everyone else in this great country, I am reeling from last week's attack on our sovereignty. But unlike some, I am not reeling from surprise.
The Knowledge War. Dr. Mark H. Shapiro
Knowledge and information are the keys in the war against terrorism. (Reprinted with permission from IrascibleProfessor.com)
Living with Chronic Pain. Cynthia Perkins
Pain is an inevitable part of life.
Coping with the Loss and Grief Associated with Chronic Illness. Cynthia Perkins
Living with a chronic illness has a profound impact on one's life and creates a lot of grief in response to the losses it imposes on our lives.
Open Heart Surgery. Remy Benoit
Suppose you had the opportunity to give a speech to the United Nations. What would you say?
Shared Anxiety. John94
20 Insights Into the Secret of Letting Go. Guy Finley
The secret of letting go not only hold the keys for ending what is unwanted, but locked within this same supreme secret is the beginning of a new life - the birth of a new nature that never has to hold on to anything because it already is everything. Let the following special insights speed you on your way.
Opening of the D-Day Museum. Remy Benoit
War has been defined as many things; among them a "breakdown in diplomacy" and "hell." It is both of those, but it is so very, very much more.
Stories, Personal Expressions, and History Lessons. Remy Benoit
Eyewitness accounts can be very valuable sources of historic events. Like the one below, they can be extremely poignant sharings of events that altered lives. In the case of this story, the event recalled was one that changed history.
The Niquahanam Project: Help to Heal the World. Remy Benoit
A special project in connection with Using History for Healing and Writing.
Three New Choices That Dismiss Dark Conditions. Guy Finley
The only thing most of us know to do when life takes an unwanted turn, bringing us what we don't want, is to take a turn for the negative ourselves. And when the circumstance in question really makes a wreck of things, not only do we summarily reject the event seen "at cause," but for good measure we often will turn our wrath upon our own lives, pronouncing them "not worth living!"
The U.S. Military Academy. Courtesy U.S. Military Academy
The mission of the U.S. Military Academy is to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country; professional growth throughout a career as an officer in the United States Army; and a lifetime of selfless service to the Nation.
A Brief History of West Point. Courtesy U.S. Military Academy
West Point's role in our nation's history dates back to the Revolutionary War, when both sides realized the strategic importance of the commanding plateau on the west bank of the Hudson River. General George Washington considered West Point to be the most important strategic position in America.
Cancel Self-Wrecking Resentments. Guy Finley
What's a dark inner dialogue? Just what it sounds like: A negative tug-of-war in the unseen recesses of your mind where you're the only one pulling on both ends of the rope. Still more to the point, being in a dark inner dialogue is finding yourself losing a heated argument when there's no one else in the room with you!
Ode to America. Cornel Nistorescu
Our thanks to Evenimentul Zilei and Cornel Nistorescu, editor, for sharing his beautiful "Ode to America".
When History Talks Back: Teaching Nonfiction History of the Vietnam War. Larry R. Johannessen
This article originally appeared in the March 2002 issue of the English Journal. Larry Johannessen's approach to teaching the Literature of Vietnam is truly inspirational. Our thanks to him for his work, and to The English Journal and the National Council of Teachers of English for sharing it. "Copyright 2002 by the National Council of Teachers of English. Used with permission.
Platoon: the Real Story. Michael Pectol
Sgt. Pectol was inspired by a new television show on the Fox Channel called Heroes. It brought to mind for him some special heroes who are part of his personal history. He sent this letter to John Kasich at Heroes and has agreed to having it posted here with some editing for clarity of content. Thanks Sgt. Mikie!
Design of Tribute to Veterans Unveiled. Paul Purpura
This article is reproduced here with permission from the Times-Picayune in New Orleans. Our thanks to the Times-Picayune staff who consistently brings Veteran's Affairs to the reading public. Our special thanks to Paul Purpura, West Bank Bureau for patiently putting up with my requests to share the information he presented with you all. From the Times-Picayune, Sunday, April 14, 2001, Metro Section.
Brothers. Patrick Shine
Patrick Shine shares his thoughts with us concerning serving in Vietnam, the Brotherhood of All Soldiers, and the value of sharing time and memories with comrades in arms at reunions.
Letters to Those in Active Service. Michael Pectol
Sgt. Michael Pectol, http://277arty.tripod.com shares his thoughts with us on the importance of sharing our thoughts with those we have sent to defend us. Thanks for sharing, Mikie; and thanks for still being the one who looks after us all.
87 Year Old Veteran Feels Forsaken. Remy Benoit
The Times-Picayune of New Orleans ran a Letter to the Editor today, Sunday, April 28 2002 entitled “Sick veteran feels forgotten”on page B6.
A Plea for Healing with Forgiveness. Remy Benoit
I know it has been a long, long time for many of you to be carrying the hurt all tied up with the Vietnam War, but I am asking you to consider what I am saying here.
Expect a Masterpiece. Steven Goodier
Steve Goodier has graciously consented to share some of his inspiring motivational articles with us from www.lifesupportsystem.com
Sharing. Remy Benoit
Just after I put up A Plea for Forgiveness three pieces of writing came to me from three friends from the States to Australia. They have given me their permission to share them with you. These are words of healing, words of forgiveness, and words of hope.
A Good Place to Start Healing. Remy Benoit
I sat down this evening with Chicken Soup for the Veteran's Soul, intending to read a story or three. That was quite a while ago. I have cried, I have smiled, and I have been deeply touched.
What Does the Word PEACE Mean?. Remy Benoit
I have asked some people to write on the subject: What are the major obstacles to peace? Two questions came from a friend yesterday: “Just what is peace? What does the word mean to each person?” Those are good questions.
The Power of Forgiveness. Steve Goodier
Steve Goodier shares with us a story of forgiveness about Abraham Lincoln and a Civil War soldier.
What War Is From the Perspective of Children. Remy Benoit
A recommendation for a special UNICEF book: I dream of peace: Images of war by children of the former Yugoslavia. Preface by Maurice Sendak. Introduction by James P. Grant, Executive Director, UNICEF. 1994 I Never Saw Another Butterfly: Children’s Drawings and Poems from Terezin Concentration Camp 1942-1944 by Hana Volavkova, Editor, 1978- 94 And a plea from the United Nations and the Global Movement for Children
Find Personal Freedom in the Principles of Invisible Justice. Guy Finley
Guy Finley is graciously sharing with us once again here at WelcomeHomeSoldier. Today he speaks of Invisible Justice and its role in our lives. Thank you, Guy.
An Open Letter to the Boomer Generation. Remy Benoit
Generation Y Shares With Us. Remy Benoit
I asked several classes of high school young people to share their ideas with us relating to the question:What do you feel are the major obstacles to peace?
A Boomer Answers: Who Are We?. Janet Kieninger
I am delighted to share with you the first answer to my question of the Boomers: Who Are We?
Generation Y Continues. Remy Benoit
We continue with the voices of the young on the obstacles to world peace. Because of their comments, I am adding a few links to sites that will help us achieve tolerance toward each other.
Got a Problem?. Steve Goodier
We all have problems. What new, creative ways can we think of to solve them. Albert Einstein once reminded us that we could not solve our problems with the same thinking that originally caused them.
Generation Y Continues. Remy Benoit
We have high school Juniors with us today. The first two classes were Sophomores. The young people share many sentiments concerning the possibiities for peace. There are interesting perspectives in store for you here. The young have so much to tell us, if we choose to listen. Remember, it was one of them who told the Emperor about his clothes.
Salute to the Nurses of Vietnam. Harry Kieninger
Harry Kieninger served as a medic at Cu Chi in ’67. He is the author of When Can We Come Home? Understanding the Viet Nam Veteran. Please visit with Harry.
WELCOME TO THE NEW www.welcomehomesoldier.com. Remy Benoit
This is a place for you, no matter what kind of war you have known, to find help to write yourself home.
Some of you have known active battlefields, faced fear, known courage, known loss on foreign soil, in foreign waters, in foreign airways. Some of you have known pain at home when those closest to you, for whatever reason, have become the enemy. Some of you have let yourselves down and carry the pain of what might have beens. Some still feel the pain of a decades old incident in a classroom.
DayBook. Remy Benoit
Many of us keep journals, day books, diaries, travel journals. All of life is a journey as most of us have come to know.
At this point in time, it is my desire to write on topics related to ideas covered in the seminar. For today, I am including two DayBook entries that I feel expand some of the ideas covered.
If you have a story to tell of someone who helped you along the way, please do send it to us. Share your joy as a way of encouraging others to be there.
You Can Help: The Veterans’ National Stamp and Coin Club and “Project Outreach”. Remy Benoit
Formed more than 29 years ago this group is a nationwide distribution center to other VA Medical Facilities. There are over 600 active members throughout the United States and abroad. The stamps and coins acquired from donations are used for treating Veterans with service related medical problems.
Integrity in Writing. Remy Benoit
Perhaps you have come to a point with all this work where you are ready to begin a serious involvement with a piece of writing.
Perhaps you have been having “conversations” with your principle characters; perhaps the time and place of your story are clear to you and you have done enough research to be able to let your writing flow in that particular time and place.
You have studied your market, know what is selling, what is on the top ten list,or the made for tv movie of the week.
Your paper, or your invisible paper, is in front of you.
Just remember what you write, what you put yourself into with everything you have to give, becomes part of you, and is, of course, an extension of you.
This is where you must be carefilled; this is where you must ask yourself what is my true mission with this piece of writing, this extension of me?
Ask real questions of yourself, of your characters and you will find real answers, not rationalizations. Give you characters, and yourself, room to grow.
Write with truth, write with compassion; write with integrity.
Dear Steven. Remy Benoit
I received your letter tonight and tried to answer through the e-mail address you sent. However, it came back through the mail administrator. So I am hoping that you see this.
Here is my response to your letter.
Looking for Historical Information?. Remy Benoit
Are you familiar with The History Net? It is run through About.com
If you are looking for information on any war,or any period of history to help you with your writing, you will find a good beginning there.
Visit With a Friend, the Cloudpuncher, Tony McNally, and With The Forgotten Soldier.com. Remy Benoit
War is not new; it has been a pandemic plague throughout history.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is its partner.
Visit with Pharaoh Press, UK. Remy Benoit
For those of you who visit from the United Kingdom and the continent, as well as from so many other places around the world, I invite you to visit with Sue at Pharaoh Press.
People. Remy Benoit
140 Nations have signed the International Mine Ban Treaty. The United States has not.
Those Who Will Listen Will Learn. Steve Goodier
On this anniversary of the horror of September 11th may we all join in prayer to honor those we have lost and for guidance.
Steve Goodier's, Those Who Will Listen Will Learn, has some special thoughts to share with us today.
Something Very Precious. Remy Benoit
We are a nation in mourning; we are a nation of determination.
We are a nation who gives heartfelt gratitude to all of you across the world who touched us yesterday, who reached out to us a year ago as we reach out to the citizens of all the other countries who ache with us, sharing the loss, sharing the grief.
We are a People who know what it means to live with FREEDOM.
USO. Remy Benoit
For over 60 years the USO has provided services to the families and to our military personnel.
A Temperate Response. Steve Goodier
Steve always shares wonderful thoughts with us.
His words today of great importance.
Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day. Remy Benoit
Our Vietnam Veterans have been waiting for decades for a Welcome Home.
Now we have an opportunity to do this; to ease the pain the lack of that has brought them.
It does not matter what your position on the war was, these Veterans are our national family. They are not prodigal sons wanting to come home now; they are sons pushed out into the cold, scorned by their national family and carrying big, big hurt.
It is up to us to assuage that hurt and to learn what we can for future generations from this engagement.
Reference places and pictures to help you. Remy Benoit
These are some sites that may be of help to you in writing about history, or the current events of today.
In Memoriam. Remy Benoit
Stephen Ambrose passed on Sunday morning in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
Tom Brokaw said of his friend:
He was kind of America's Historian.
A Reminder. Remy Benoit
Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day Petition
Books That May Interest You. Remy Benoit
I have been reviewing books for quite a while now.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED. Remy Benoit
As many of you are aware, there is a National Veterans Project.
For Charlie Brown from the Men of C 3/22. Patrick Shine
Last Tuesday, October 15th, Charlie Brown was honored in a beautiful and moving ceremony at Brookside Funeral Home, and then interred in the last bunker he will ever have to be in at Brookside Memorial Cemetery.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, Et. Al.. Remy Benoit
There are many ideas around about the situation concerning homeless Veterans.
For some discussions on this topic, and how to help, please visit the following websites. These are just a few of many: if you have a favorite please send it along and I will post it.
Rethinking Schools. Remy Benoit
I came upon an interesting site today that I would like to draw your attention to.
Memory Lane. Remy Benoit
This was handed to me today in the office. A little piece, author unknown, called "How Did We Survive?"
It is a good indicator on how much the world has changed at a personal growing up level.
Day Book, October 28, 2002. Remy Benoit
The air outside here this morning is liquid and warm, heavy with the scent of mold. I got a call from Buffalo that they are expecting snow by the end of the week. The clocks were turned back this weekend to Standard Time. It is autumn.
Autumn is the time for bringing in the harvest; it is also a time for evaluation of the summer’s crop and preparation for the winter’s trials
Review of Musings: Writers Do It Write!. Remy Benoit
A group of women writers has come together to present you with a wonderful gift.
Their free-e-book: Musings: Authors Do It Write! is a journey through the realities, the commitment, and the joys of the writer’s life.
USA Patriot Act/Constitution/Bill of Rights. Remy Benoit
This is a web link to the USA PATRIOT Act as passed by Congress
Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act (Oct. 25, 2001)
HR 3162 RDS
Children in Afghanistan. Remy Benoit
The French Entertainer, Charles Aznevour, sings a song called Children of War.
It opens with the line, "There are children of war who have never been young."
Profile: What Can One Person Do? Meet Charlie Black. Remy Benoit
You won't find Charlie on the shelf with Hemingway, or Proust, or Joyce, or Wolfe.
You will find Charlie at Silver Spurs - A Troop, 3/17th Air Cav - Special Feature
I suggest you pay a visit to PTSD Support Services. Remy Benoit
When you visit this site, you find that the first words you see are WELCOME HOME.
I am aware of how sweet those words can be.
Veterans Day. Remy Benoit
On November 11th we honor our Veterans.
It has been a long, long time since the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the eleventh month when silence broke out across the bloodied trenches, across No Man's Land.
Something Special from Daily Guideposts.
I received an e-mail about Veterans Day.
What was in it was special, so with permission from Daily Guideposts: Your Source of Inspiration, I invite you to go to:
Veterans.
We Can Help Each Other. Remy Benoit
Teach them politics and war so their sons may study medicine and mathematics in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music and architecture.
John Adams
Forgotten Soldier. Remy Benoit
Who is the Forgotten Soldier?
Do you know one?
Are you one?
Veterans Day Speech.
This speech is being shared from Frackville, Pennsylvania this Veterans Day.
I wonder how many of us thought of the true Essence of the Day. Perhaps this will remind us to.
Dave Bowen, thank you for Sharing.
Thank Those in Active Service. Remy Benoit
Tonight you are at your keyboard, watching the television, enjoying a hot meal, and/or a hot shower.
Gratitude. Remy Benoit
The holiday season is upon us.
It is a time of great expectations, and also, very often a time of great disappointments.
We often expect too much of ourselves and too much of others.
How can we change that?
A CALL. Remy Benoit
WE CAN MAKE HISTORY, OR HISTORY CAN UNMAKE US!
What is your story?
What have you learned?
It's About Hunger. Remy Benoit
Thanksgiving is upon us.
The markets are filled with food.
Many stores are beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Many of us will spend the holidays with loved ones at abundant tables.
But many will spend them alone with very sparse tables.
Many years ago in a classroom a young man asked a simple question. He asked it with tears in his eyes, after a detailed explanation of trade, tariffs,embargoes, etc.
He asked the question of me.
"But why do people have to go hungry?"
We are still searching for an answer to that young man's question.
You can help with just a click to a website:
Hunger Site.
Welcome Back Warrior. Paul Rubin
From Phoenix New Times comes the story of a Marine.
It is a story you will understand.
That saddens me just as the tale of this Marine's journey to try to come home does.
A Question That Needs To Be Asked. Remy Benoit
This is a question that needs to be asked, and we are the ones to be asking it.
If the VA is having problems now keeping up with the needs of our current Veterans, what provisions are being made to tend to the needs of those yet to come from the areas where we are sending those on active duty?
Milestones in American Documents. Remy Benoit
We have a long history of a great thirst for freedom.
We have proven that on many battlefields, including here at home during the Revolution.
We have a debt to pay; a simple one, a vital one.
Some Thoughts About Words. Remy Benoit
Meister Eckhart, 1260-1328, conveyed a simple truth:
"The purpose of a word is to reveal."
Brave Pages: A Site You Will Appreciate. Remy Benoit
I am a very strong advocate of oral history. We need to know who we were; where we came from, and who helped shape our values to know who we are and who we can be.
Rethinking Schools. Remy Benoit
We are responsible for what is taught in our schools.
We are responsible in making sure that all sides of all subjects are presented.
Christmas at Okinawa. Remy Benoit
Have you ever been away from home and those you love for Christmas? If you have, you have some idea of what this soldier is trying to tell us.
If you haven't been away from loved ones and home, try to imagine how it would feel to not only be away but to be in a battle zone for Christmas.
December 7, 1941. Remy Benoit
Today we remember.
Today we still mourn.
This day in history was, indeed, a Day of Infamy.
Meet John Thompson -Photos/Graphics. Remy Benoit
Are you working with an old photograph for your writing?
Is it looking murky, cracking, fading?
Does it need restoration?
Are you ready for a terrific cover design for your book?
Season's Greetings. Tony McNally
This comes to us from the UK.
It comes with shared feelings; it comes to us with great understanding.
Mack is a Veteran of the Falklands War and the author of Cloudpuncher.
And coming back to you, Mack, is a big hug and lots of love.
Christmas Day, 1966: The Bob Hope Show.. Harry Kieninger
We are taking a trip down memory lane.
Tonight we give you Christmas at Cu Chi, 1966.
The words are Harry Kieninger's. You may visit with Harry at Medic.
The photo is courtesy of Mike Pectol, focus11b from Arty.
The soldier in the picture, decorating a tree from home, is Phil Costantino, focus11 from '66-'67.
Thank you for sharing.
And, Bob, "Thanks for the memories."
Blessings for the New Year. Remy Benoit
The day is beginning to darken, the last evening of 2002. Here fireworks are legal, and they are popping already.
Our New Year's greeting is a simple one from so many lifeforms with whom we share this beautiful planet.
Some Reading Recommendations. Remy Benoit
As we are all aware, the world grows smaller everyday. The fact that we are so interconnected demands of us that we begin to accept that deep connection. Jean Houston, in her A Passion for the Possible: A Guide to Realizing Your True Potential makes this deep connection quite vivid for us:
Every sniff brings the world through your nose. It has been estimated that in any given three-week period, some molecules of everyone on this planet pass through you breathing apparatus-your aunt Annie, the president of France, a giraffe in Kenya.
We're Back!. Remy Benoit
Sorry for the inconvenience the last few days - a server upgrade.
With the new year in full swing, with talk of war in the air, I thought this to be a good time to direct you to a special essay by Robert Olen Butler.
Iraq: some views. Remy Benoit
There is much in the news about the severe problems in Iraq.
There is much to consider when a country speaks of the possibility of war.
Most of you know; many of you have been through it.
Below are links to a variety of viewpoints:
Cloudpuncher by Tony McNally. Reviewed by Remy Benoit
Our lives are made up of all kinds of relationships.
Each type of relationship implies some kind of mutual responsibility.
One of those relationships is between those we send to serve, and we who send them. I usually refer to this particular relationship as a covenant: if you will be there for us, we will be there for you.
Cloudpuncher.
Watching Men Burn.
Not For Queen or Country by Edward Denmark. Reviewed by Remy Benoit
This is an honest book, an account of life in the military by a man who served as a British soldier in Northern Ireland and in the Falklands War.
Denmark notes that his initial attraction to the armed services had a lot to do with extravagant recruitment posters of soldiers skiing, of soldiers walking sunny beaches. It also had a lot to do with relief from the drudgery of factory work. In fact, after a brief hiatus from the military, Denmark re-enlisted and attempted Para training.
Iraqi Question. Remy Benoit
There are a wide variety of positions on the question of making war on Iraq.
Project Hearts and Minds: A Mission of Reconciliation.
Project Hearts and Minds.
This is a non-profit volunteer group which includes Veterans.
Their mission is reconciliation.
They hope to "put a human face on the tragedy of war."
President Bush's Budget Proposal. Remy Benoit
The Veterans Administration is there for ALL Veterans.
Problems with the VA are common knowledge.
You may find President Bush's Budget Proposal for 2004 - A Blueprint for New Beginnings at:
Blueprint for New Beginnings.
Veterans for Common Sense. Remy Benoit
War is a serious thing; a very serious thing.
Veterans for Common Sense is an organization founded by Gulf War Veterans that provides articles about the proposed war on Iraq as well as open debate.
Veterans for Common Sense.
Say Hi to a GI.
You can send a message to those in active
service.
Let them know we are there for them now and will be when they come home again.
Say Hi to a GI.
Global Security.org.
From the Military, to Homeland Security, to Intelligence and Space, you will find reports, ideas, documents at Global Security.
An informed citizenry is the backbone of a democracy.
A Fateful Decision. Pat Shine
I asked Pat if I could share this with all of you.
His answer was yes.
His hope is that perhaps it will help one of you make the Fateful Decision and end the feeling of being alone.
I add my prayer to his hope.
Looking for Books?. Remy Benoit
If you are looking for books to purchase this is an interesting place.
ABE Books.
There are over 1 million titles just on the subject of war.
If there is something special that you are looking for this might be the place to find it.
They also carry First Editions for those of you who are seeking something in that category.
Veterans Rights and Benefits. Remy Benoit
This morning I draw your attention to some articles being run at
Veterans for Common Sense.
Power of Words. Remy Benoit
Today there are two sites to direct your attention to that come to us courtesy of Rethinking Schools.
YOU were soldiers once, and young. Remy Benoit
This article in the Washington Post caught my eye this morning.
To Gulf Troops,Vietnam is History.
To Gulf Troops, Vietnam is History comes to us from Camp Coyote, Kuwait By Peter Baker and Jonathan Finer
Washington Post Foreign Service
Wednesday, March 5, 2003; Page A01
A Familiar Name. Remy Benoit
With the airing of the TV movie,The Pentagon Papers, this week, I was asked Who is Daniel Ellsberg?
Who was this marine, this "clerk" who went through over 7,000 pages of documents and then leaked The Pentagon Papers and why did he do it?
Health Care and Our Troops. Remy Benoit
All of us have concern for those in activity duty today. Many of you know all about health care issues and our Veterans.
What are the Politicos Saying About the Proposed War?. Remy Benoit
This afternoon I thought this article would be of interest to you.
US Representative John J. Duncan ( R-TN )
speaks out for the conservative position:
Conservative Position on the Proposed War.
Senator Calls for Probe of DoD Healthcare. Press Release - John Kerry
Senator Calls for Probe of DoD Healthcare
Is all being done that should be done according to the "November 18, 1997, President Clinton signed into law Public Law 105-85, which required the DOD to develop and implement a medical tracking system for service members deployed overseas?"
On the question of oil. Remy Benoit
There have been questions raised about oil and the proposed war.
Who gains from the oil wells?
Who will be responsible for them?
Would Saddam level them?
Just War - or a Just War. Jimmy Carter
Former President Jimmy Carter shares his ideas about the proposed war with Iraq in the New York Times: Just war - or a Just War.
Pledge Allegiance to Our Troops. David Hackworth
David Hackworth's name is well known.
He shares his concern for our troops at
Pledge Allegiance to Our Troops.
atVeterans for Common Sense.
A Variety of Positions. Remy Benoit
The basis of a successful democracy is citizen involvement and voice.
Here are some viewpoints about the proposed war on Iraq.
Proposals Concerning Iraq Continue. Remy Benoit
The debate goes on, the suggested time frames continue being argued, the demand lists alter.
So here are some of the features of today's positions:
On Line Opinions on the Proposed War. Remy Benoit
There are many groups, pro/anti war.
These links will show you were different groups stand on the issues.
Stand By Our Troops.
Whatever is coming, whatever your feelings about it, remember those we sent to serve are our flesh and blood...
THEY ARE US.
WE MUST STAND BY THEM.
At the Brink. Remy Benoit
Last night President Bush gave Saddam Hussein an ultimatum.
Today the world reacts.
March 19, 2003. Remy Benoit
It is a beautiful morning here in New Orleans while we wait.
For those of you on the front lines, our prayers are with you.
Operation Dear Abby.
Operation USO Care Package. Remy Benoit
Because of security needs, the USO has devised a plan to get "care packages" to our troops.
The USO has played a vital part in the lives of our service people for a long time.
Verities of War. Remy Benoit
It is the first day of spring here in the States.
We are at war.
We have lost some of our own: a marine from the 1st Expeditionary Force, as yet not identified pending family notification, and four of our US Troops as well as 8 from the UK in a Marine helicopter crash.
Oxfam America Fact Sheet on Humanitarian Implications of Military Action in Iraq. Remy Benoit
We are in a war to aide the people of Iraq, to liberate them.
With that comes a huge responsibility for their post-war welfare.
There will be disruptions in an already disrupted country with food, sewage, water, sanitation, child and prenatal care, etc.
Veteran Teach-In CSPAN LIVE TODAY. Remy Benoit
Today, Saturday, March 22, at Kay Chapel, American University Saturday, March 22, 1-5 pm live on CSPAN join a Teach -In concerning issues relevant to current situation
For details, speakers, etc.: Teach-In.
Budget Cuts and Veterans. Remy Benoit
For an overview of proposed budget cuts regarding Veterans:
Major Veterans Groups Battle VA Budget Cuts The American Legion.
Veterans Against the Iraq War.
The strength of a democracy is in its voice.
In many parts of the nation there are protests against the war, while at the same time standing in support of our troops.
One of those collective voices is;Veterans Against the Iraq War.
For international reaction: BBC News
Sunday. Remy Benoit
These are some of the headline articles of the day:
Sunday Night. Remy Benoit
We mourn the loss of life in this confrontation and share the grief of all those loses touch. Indeed, each life lost touches us all.
Our prayers are with those taken as Prisoners of War.
Monday, March 24, 2003. Remy Benoit Monday Evening. Remy Benoit War and the Media. Remy Benoit Commentary on the Media. Remy Benoit Uprising ?. Remy Benoit Our Fallen Troops. Remy Benoit Baghdad. Remy Benoit Dolphins and Mines. Continuing War Coverage. Remy Benoit The War on the Web. Remy Benoit The Troops Are US. Remy Benoit Keep the Home Fires Burning. Remy Benoit The Verities of War. Remy Benoit The Numbers Grow - The Pain is Felt at Home. Remy Benoit The Dreaded Knock on the Door. Remy Benoit The Power of Words: Crusade/Jihad. Remy Benoit Congressional Perogatives. Remy Benoit Discussions on Post War Iraq. Remy Benoit Welcome Home, Jessica. Remy Benoit Benefits for Military. Looking Toward Post War Iraq. Remy Benoit Again, the Power of Words. Remy Benoit Reconstructing Iraq. Remy Benoit Homefront. Remy Benoit What next for Iraq and Saddam? and US. Remy Benoit New Developments. Remy Benoit Curfew. Remy Benoit Vietnam Veterans and the Iraq War. Remy Benoit Anguish. Remy Benoit Something to Share - A Common Soldier. Remy Benoit Syria - Cradle of Civilization - Modern Day. Remy Benoit Dennis Who?. Remy Benoit Iran. Remy Benoit France. Remy Benoit The Verities of War and PTSD. Remy Benoit Perspectives. Remy Benoit Doctors Without Borders. Remy Benoit Aftermath of War: Artifacts and Plague. Remy Benoit Artifacts Returning/Life in a Post War Country. Remy Benoit Women in Combat. Remy Benoit Letters Home. Remy Benoit Curators Gather to Help Restore Iraqi Antiquities. Remy Benoit A Tribute to Gunner Callan. Sgt. Greg Aurandman World War II Memoirs from Canada by Stan Scislowski. Stan Scislowski Malaria/Mefloquine/Lariam - Are there problems with these?. Remy Benoit America Library Association to Help Iraq. Remy Benoit Writing World.com/NewsTrove.com. Remy Benoit For Those of Us who are Grand/Great Grandparents. Remy Benoit Some Peace in War. Stan Scislowski Will you Help to Heal the World?. Remy Benoit Freedom to Read. Remy Benoit A Number to Consider. Remy Benoit Just a Thought. Remy Benoit The Search for WMD. Remy Benoit In the Wake of War. Remy Benoit Roses and Freedom. Remy Benoit Mass Grave South of Baghdad. Remy Benoit What We So Take for Granted: Freedom of the Press. Remy Benoit International Conscientious Objectors Day May 15. Remy Benoit The Personal Side of War. Remy Benoit Children of War. Remy Benoit A Nightingale Sang - or did it?. Stan Scislowski What will happen to the Baath party members in Iraq. Remy Benoit Is a different path possible?. Remy Benoit The Clergy and the Major. Remy Benoit What is the future of the Iraqi Army?. Remy Benoit Memorial Day. Remy Benoit A Special Message From a World War II Veteran to All You Vietnam Veterans. Stan Scislowski Concern from Amnesty International. Remy Benoit FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA COME GREETINGS: HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, BOB HOPE. Remy Benoit Pointmen of the American Ideal. Capt. Douglas (Sandy) Cohn, USA (ret.) VA: 275,000 Veterans Homeless Every Night . Ohio State Senator Jim Carnes Coshocton (Ohio) Tribune Hide and Seek. Remy Benoit Anybody from the 22nd out there named Mobley?. Remy Benoit Rumsfeld in Europe. Remy Benoit Flag Day and Happy Birthday US Army. Remy Benoit The Verities of War. Remy Benoit Down Memory Lane. Remy Benoit The Strength of Human Endurance. Remy Benoit Sharing the Planet. Remy Benoit Bush and Iran. Remy Benoit Who are the fighters crossing into Iraq to take on American Forces?. Remy Benoit Korean War Anniversary. Remy Benoit History of Korean War. Remy Benoit Questions Being Raised. Remy Benoit While we celebrate the coming of summer, our troops are still engaged. Remy Benoit Casualties Continue to Mount and Questions Continue to be Raised. Remy Benoit Vietnam Collectors/Reenactors. Remy Benoit Not a GI, but a Real Trooper None the Less: Today we mourn the passing of Kate Hepburn. Remy Benoit Where are the WMD?. Remy Benoit Happy 4th of July !. Remy Benoit US Troops Abroad . Remy Benoit In the News. Remy Benoit We are back to the meaning of words again. Remy Benoit More on the topic of real Patriotism. Remy Benoit Costs Climb in Iraq. Remy Benoit Investigations into Chemical Tests on Military Personnel Continue. Remy Benoit Bastille Day. Remy Benoit Senator Robert Byrd, July 11, 2003. Remy Benoit Disabled Veterans of America. Remy Benoit Is this the "R" Word Again?. Remy Benoit National Guard Role Expands. Remy Benoit More losses of our troops. Remy Benoit Those We Send. Remy Benoit Up Close and Personal. Remy Benoit Two Landmarks. Remy Benoit Is There a Veterans' Memorial Park in Your Town?. Remy Benoit Down History Lane. Remy Benoit Remember the Blood of Heroes. Turning Things Upside Down. Remy Benoit Hunger in the US. Remy Benoit For Tim O'Brien Fans. Remy Benoit
The war continues with much fighting.
Prisoners of War are entitled to the humanitarian rights outlined in the Geneva Convention: Geneva Convention.
From the Washington Post: Display of 5 POWs Draws Firm Rebuke U.S. Warns Iraq on Televised Images By Bradley Graham and Jonathan Weisman Washington Post Staff WritersMonday, March 24, 2003; Page A01
As fighting comes near to Holy Cities, this article will help clarify feelings about these areas.
From Fox News:
Background: Karbala and Najaf By Paul Wagenseil.
Mass media, like mass anything, often, usually, does not reflect all the nuances of a situation.
War is a fierce and bloody thing.
What is the role of the media in wartime?
What are the responsibilities of the media?
As has been said, 'war is not a video game.'
It is brutal and messy and very harsh.
Death is an integral part of it.
Troops being taken as Prisoners of War are an integral part of it.
How much of its truth should be shown?
Why should viewers be offended by the real face of war?
Does honest reporting not show the real face of war?
How much should the children see?
How do we show consideration for the family members of those who fall or are taken prisoner?
Just how much reporting should be given to troop movements? When does that become dangerous to the troops?
Early reports are coming in on an alleged uprising by Shiite Muslims of Basra.
We mourn the loss of our troops; we all share the grief of their families. We are all family.
To those who are on this battle front, we send our prayers for your safe return.
Blessings,
Remy
Baghdad is a very old city.
It is now under seige.
Many have left.
Those who remain who wish to see the end of Hussein's reign are fearful.
From CNN: Dolphins aid Iraq mine-clearance.
War is a tentacled thing, its blood soaked arms clawing into military and civilian lives.
There are many positions concerning the war in Iraq.
All around the country and the globe there are demonstrations both anti and pro.
This war is also being discussed at great length around the world on the web.
I was deeply disturbed reading the article linked to below this morning.
I do not, in any way, believe that this reporting reflects on the character of the people of this state. This incident could have taken place anywhere. Probably has; probably will.
Many of you who are Veterans of the Vietnam War have had this kind of experience. Although the insult was decades ago, I know from what you tell me, the pain is fresh.
This was an act of a handful of young people.
Nevertheless, age does not excuse this kind of behavior.
One of the realities of war is that of the families and friends waiting for news at home.
The battlefield leads to many questions.
All that lives have known before comes undone.
And that leads to confusion, pain, and very often, later in life Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The gods of war know no satiation.
Daily the numbers grow: KIA, MIA, WIA, POW.
Our hearts, our prayers are with all of them and all who wait.
And while they serve, their children wait. How can we help them with that? What can our communities do to reach out to these children?
The daughter, the son, the husband...how do you tell the next of kin that their loved one is missing, wounded,a POW, or not coming home alive.
It used to be a telegram that was the dreaded messenger. Since 1955 it has been a knock on the door.
Words have power.
Words have history, have baggage, and have major impact.
Words once spoken can never be totally taken back.
The Constitution of the United States is based upon a very specific division of, and balancing of, power.
That document was framed that way for a reason.
The reason is very simple: to protect the people who framed it from any encroachments on their freedom.
Below is Article 1 of the Constitution which deals with the powers of Congress.
If you have not read this since high school, perhaps you should read it again. If you have never read it, well, it is time to read about the bicameral legislative branch that is the lawmaker and the financial conduit of this country.
The questions are being debated as to how post-war Iraq will be reconstructed.
Who will lead the reconstruction?
What will UN involvement be?
How will it be funded?
Below are some of the things being said to date.
Jessica, as a mother, as a citizen of this country, Welcome Home.
Thank you, Jessica, for your service.
Please know that all our prayers are with you for healing.
Blessings,
Remy
Lawmakers are moving to enhance benefits.
From Fox News and Kelley Beaucar Vlahos: Lawmakers Rush to Aid Military Families by Kelley Beaucar Vlahos.
As Coalition troops move into Baghdad there are various possibilities being discussed for the post war government.
How much UN involvement should there be?
What role will Iraqis play in running their country?
Who will make up the new leadership of a country being brought into a new form of government?
Emotions nationally and internationally will run high on this issue. What is its history; what is its future?
I know, again, again I mention the power of words.
But with the 24/7 reporting we are beseiged with words.
With coalition troops in Baghdad how Iraq will be constructed will become the major issue.
It is not an easy task and arguments will be heard on all sides.
There are many, many positions in this country about the war with Iraq; many, many positions about the peace and reconstruction.
Those at home send support and love to the troops in country, even when they are like Miz' Alice protesting. Join her in Canton, Mass. with this AP piece and others here on the homefront.
Amidst celebration there is war still raging.
While statues and posters fall, the Coalition looks for Saddam.
Alleged torture chambers are opened to world view.
How will Iraq be ruled?
Who will rule?
Should there be trials for Iraq's fallen leadership on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity?
These are some of today's views:
We are watching, some of us, 24/7, a regime change in Baghdad.
All kinds of questions are, and will be raised.
What will we find?
What will be the future, immediate and long range, role of Iraq in the 21st century?
The Coalition forces continue trying to restore order in Iraq.
From the AP Press and Military.com Tikrit Is Last Iraqi Holdout.
At Military.com you can join the discussion:Military.com.
Many Vets feel unable to walk away from the television screen:
From Pittsburg, the Post-Gazette and By Milan Simonich, Post-Gazette Staff Writer: War on Iraq brings back haunting memories for Vietnam vets.
During war terrible things happen and those terrible things live on in the hearts, minds, souls of those who knew them.
This war is generating a new group of Veterans who will have much healing to do; who will need help.
At the same the proposed budget calls for vast cuts in Veteran care. Is that how we keep our unwritten Covenant? Be there for us, and we will be there for you...
Domestic areas require much help.
The people of Iraq will also need much help.
Waging war brings new responsibilities, vast responsibilities.
How we meet them is a measure of who we are.
This piece was brought to my attention.
I felt it should be brought to yours.
JUST A COMMON SOLDIER by
A. Lawrence Vaincourt.
You might like to pass it along.
Syria neighbors Iraq.
It has a long and complicated history dating back to 9000BCE. It is said that this is where civilization began.
With all the talk between the US and Syria at the moment, it is good to take a look at the history and beliefs of the people who live there.
Below are some links that will help with that.
Who is Dennis Kucinich?
He is a Progressive, the sponsor of a bill for a Department of Peace.
Who is he and what does he stand for?
As the world grows smaller each and every day, it becomes increasingly important that we learn each other's history, culture, and perspectives.
Much of the history of the world is taught in huge survey courses that leave little time for close up looks at the cultures of other countries, and often, even our own.
However, with the web history is now quite literally at your finger tips.
Iran is currently in the news. Let's take a look at the historic roots of its culture.
When we fought for our independence, Lafayette was here.
When the battle was on French soil the cry of the Lafayette Escadrille was "Lafayette, we are here."
We were there on the beaches of Normandy.
They were at Dien Bien Phu.
Here in New Orleans the French heritage is everywhere as Louisiana celebrates its Bicentennial.
Below are links to the history of France, and to the history of Louisiana.
As I have said, war is an insatiably hungry thing. Even when the guns begin to silence, or are finally silenced, the experiences known in combat stay very much alive.
Very often those who serve need medical and psychological treatment. Please, make your representatives aware that we need to keep the Covenant with those we send to fight.
Support our Veterans.
There is so much in the news these last few weeks that it is sometimes hard to keep up with.
Nevertheless, that keeping up is our responsibility.
Below are some reactions to things that are going on here and abroad.
Doctors Without Borders is a humanitarian volunteer group.
They are at work in Iraq, as well as many other places, and they need your help.
The National Museum of Iraq has been looted. The questions remain: by whom, was the looting pre-planned.
Some of the lights are back on, but much of the water is not yet running increasing chances for cholera and thyphoid.
From the University of Pennsylvania Museum:Saving the Past for Future Generations:UPM's Statement on the Looting of the Iraq National Museum by Dr. Richard L. Zettler, Associate Curator-in-charge of the Near Eastern Section and Dr. Jeremy A. Sabloff, UPM's Williams Director.
Some of the treasures missing from the museum were taken into safe keeping; others did not fare so well.
There are areas of unrest between different Muslim groups, and while Iraqis ask for protection during this time of upheaval, they are also making it clear, Thank you, now please leave it to us to set up an Islamic state.
And, as always in combat, there is the toll on those we send to fight.
Throughout the upheavals of the Sixties, there was a beginning of East and West meeting, culturally, religiously, and philosophically exchanging ideas, coming to understandings. Perhaps, if we pursue it, this engagement may lead to greater understanding, communication, and compassion.
While the pros and cons of it are still being argued, the fact is, women are, and have been in combat.
Does that change the face of war?
What are the risks, the advantages?
Does it give new definition to the word equality?
What problems occur when "Moms" are in combat?
We have availability to so, so many letters home from so, so many wars.
Now we have them from Iraq, and some of them are final letters home.
They speak of God, of love, of hope, of pizza and things familiar.
For those whose letters were the last ones home, we grieve with their families. We honor their sacrifice.
The worst case scenario fears for Iraqi antiquities faced with being on a battlefront have been at least partially realized.
Many of the antiquities have been looted, damaged, destroyed.
A summit of Curators met at the British Museum today to begin outlining ways to help Iraq reclaim it tremendous antiquity heritage.
Gunner Brian Callan was a Marine, dedicated to country, duty, and his men.
What happened to him is a tale that is so sadly not unfamiliar. You may read his story in the Phoenix Times by Paul Rubin at:Welcome Back Warrior.
Sgt. Aurandman offers his memory the following tribute.
Stan Scislowski, author of Not All of Us Were Brave, Editor of Royal Canadian
Legion Branch Newsletter for 40 years, joins us from Canada.
To view Stan’s book, please go to:Not All of Us Were Brave.
Stan is sharing some of his words, his memories with us. For today we join him with:
The controversy over the Mefloquine/Lariam treatment for malaria has been brought to my attention.
It is a controversy well worth being researched.
If you have taken, or are taking this drug and having problems there are links below that will help you.
Museum Curators from around the world met to begin to help Iraq restore its national treasures.
The American Library Association in conjunction with the Heritage Emergency National Task Force is helping too.
To get the full story, please go to: ALA joins international library community in assisting Iraq National Library.
Thanks to Moira Allen and her Writing World.Com. I became aware of a special news service: NewsTrove.Com.
You will find information about the 101st Airborne, the 173rd Airborne, the 7th Calvary, and 82nd Airborne as well as a vast host of other topics from Archaeology to Web Hosting.
Those of you who know me personally KNOW that I am a book nut. I am physically incapable of resisting a book sale and have a vast, vast, vast library.
When I was a child, my favorite book was The Princess and the Goblin. One day my daughter found me a reprint of this book that dates back to the 1870's, and since then I have found a 1930's copy of MacDonald's book.
Books formed a great, great part of my youth. I recall that Princess Irene's story was in a hardback maroon cover with sort of thick beige pages. Her story has left me with a life time fascination with hidden staircases and things that go bump in the night. Her goblins and her struggle with them in their own way took me to the path of other things that go bump in the night, like war and PTSD. But keep the faith, the Princess and her Geordi were victorius over the goblins.
On the way back to the battlefront, a soldier finds some peace.
It is World War II and we are in Italy with Stan Scislowski in 1944.
Today is a special day for us here at WHS.
With tremendous gratitude to my son for endless hours of computer work, we announce the formal launching of The Niquahanam Project: Help to Heal the World.
The words "Reading is Fundamental" are well known to all who live in this country.
Reading is the link that joins us across centuries. It transmits words, ideas, emotions, experience. It gives us common ground as human beings. It helps us to grow; it helps us to heal; it helps us to share.
Ben Franklin is in part a national hero because of his advocacy of libraries.
I was visiting the site of Global Action to Prevent War: A Coalition-Building Effort to Stop War, Genocide, and Internal Armed Conflict.
I came across a number there.
If there is any validity to the idea of reincarnation, and a vast amount of the world's population believes it has great validity, then consider this thought.
You chose to be alive in this time period in history.
Why?
What is the work that you are to do?
What is the work that as a unique individual can only be done by you?
Weapons of Mass Destruction in large quantities are eluding US search teams. For an update on that search, visit The Washington Post: Frustrated, U.S. Arms Team to Leave Iraq Task Force Unable To Find Any Weapons.
When a government is removed, a power vacuum is left; chaos reigns. That time is a very precarious time for a nation as people are often in favor of the return of stability, and sometimes are prone to overlooking its price tag.
US troops face a daunting task in Baghdad, as well as the rest of Iraq.
Some reports from that nation follow:
Roses mean so many, many things.
Red ones mean love.
Something said, "Subrosa" is to be kept confidential, thus the roses carved high on old conference room walls.
England had its War of the Roses.
The subject of Roses came to mind with all the talk of dictatorship, persecution, denial of rights, freedom.
CNN reports the unearthing if a mass grave, seemingly of Shiites who attempted to unseat Saddam in 1991. Iraqis uncover thousands in mass grave.
From the Archives of the Times of London we have a reminder that Freedom of the Press is a hard won civil liberty and one that must be protected. With instant cameras and satellite links, we have become accustomed to instant reportage. That, obviously, was not always so.
From the BBC interviews with four Conscientious Objectors from 4 different wars explain their positions on the stands they have taken.
'Why I would not kill in war'.
War is much more than just a break down in communications. It is human interactions in oh so many ways.
There are the terrible, deadly moments on the field of battle, and there are the awesome moments of human touching.
There is an old song called Children of War by French artist Charles Aznevour with a line that goes, "There are children of war who have never been young."
In any war, despite the best intentions, there are the realities. Those realities often impact most harshly on the children.
Those of us who are aficinados of old World War II songs know how A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.
Well, now that the Lights have gone on All Over the World, maybe this will shed some light on just who did that singing.
What will become of the followers of Saddam?
Party membership was the way to advancement, to education. What price will be paid for that price?
From Washington Post.com Highlights -Iraqis killing Baath Party members -
U.S. punishment seen as not harsh enough.
Some say that we are by our very nature a belligerent species. Others are trying to prove that anthropologically we are not; that aggression is a learned behavior.
There are many factors involved in what each of us grows up to be. Environment plays its role; the amount of love and assurance given plays its. Some say that up to 70% of childhood training is in negatives: Don't do this, that, or the other thing.
In the aftermath of war the lives of soldiers, religious leaders, and civilians intermingle.
There are problems of sanitation, of customs, of expectations for the future of Iraq.
With the Iraqi Army, like the Baath Party, officially disbanded, what is the new Iraqi Army to be?
Who will be allowed to serve?
How will those accused by rank of complicity with Hussein be able to plead their cases?
What munitions will be permitted?
As we celebrate this Memorial Day holiday, honoring those who gave all to preserve who we are, a thought occurred to me.
We have come to think of the governance of this country as "them" and "us."
They are the ones elected to represent us. We are the ones who are represented.
I promised someone, a Vietnam Veteran, that one day he would see this; a letter, a statement like this.
When I read it, well, yes, you can smile and shed copious tears at the same time.
So across the years, across the wars.
Bless you, Stan, for this.
Remy
With war and terrorism having become a great part of our lives, there is a concern from Amnesty International about violations of human rights in the name of freedom.
To Bob,
From every GI who you, and your troops, gave a respite from hell; your courage is exemplary; your heart boundless, your love unconditional.
Hear our voices across this nation in song;
BOB, THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.
God Bless and Keep you!
A Grateful Nation
This year marks the 35th Anniversary of the West Point Class of 1968.
I received a message a few moments ago asking me to share these words, these memories with you as a tribute to a West Point Class with several members who did not come home.
I stood one day a few months ago with the man from this class who asked me to run "Sandy's" Memorial Speech as he pointed out who was who in their graduation picture. Too often during those very poignant moments he said naming one of them after another for me, "He did not come home."
I feel touched, I feel honored, to post Captain Douglas Cohn's, tribute. These men gave all for Honor, Duty, Country.
For those of you here to read these words, Welcome Home. For those of you who have gone on I know, somehow, someway you understand how your brothers feel, how very much you are missed and how inadequate words seem to be when it comes to saying Thank You for giving the ultimate for the country you love. We pray that the Lord showers you with His Blessings; we send you our very personal, Welcome Home.
They serve their country.
Sometimes they go off to war with flags waving and crowds cheering.
Sometimes they come home, if they come home, to parades and crowds cheering.
Sometimes they come home to derision and neglect.
They are our Veterans.
We're back. Been moving from one house to a new one, but back on line now, even if I haven't yet found the can opener!
Seems there is some controversy a brewing about the WMD's and credibility.
Got the note below a little bit ago...so if your name is Mobley and you were with Delta Company 3rd of the 22nd from 4/1/68 to 4/1/69 there's a buddy named Al looking for you.
Defense Secretary Rumsfield makes some statements about the old and new Europe and about the possibilities of nuclear weapon development in Iran
Today is Flag Day and it is also the birthday of the United States Army.
Fly the colors and thank a Veteran for protecting them.
War is a hungry, devouring thing. At present there are about 30 going on around the globe.
Join Steven Rosenfeld and Chris Hedges for What Every Person Should Know About War.
Being a first year Boomer, I remember growing up in a world that was Them and Us. There was the Korean War, East German Uprising in '53,reported below; the Hungarian Revolution of '56; Sputnik; the Guns of October; and, of course, Vietnam.
Do you remember the bomb shelters? The question: Would you let your neighbors in?
All of which brings us to the old adage: The only constant is change. Yesterday's enemy may be today's friend. How can we enlarge our vision to know that and to work with it.
For those of you who weren't there, who didn't know the insanity of MAD ( Mutually Assured Destruction ), here are some links to take you back to those not so wonderful times:
History is full of tales of the depths of our will to survival. The tales are the type that fill us with wonder and awe and make us ask ourselves could we endure what this person did.
The name of Jawad Amer Sayed joins the ranks of those whose will to survive astonishes us. He lived inside a false wall in his home about 100 miles southeast of Baghdad for 22 years.
I have just moved back to the country. I believe there is something in us Boomers that draws us back to the land.
Two huge live oaks stand centinnel in the front yard that you come to from a lumpy, bumpy road. Across the road from us is the Global Wildlife Center, so when I get my mail, I am greeted by all sorts of our co-habitors on this planet grazing in innocence, unaware of the capabilities for destruction of their human brothers.
When dark falls here, it is a deep, deep penetrating dark that even blinks out the massive live oaks.
A rooster crows in the morning, a horse pastures on the bumpy road.
It is a good reminder that once all was not cement, city lights and parking lots. It is a good place to touch Creation. So when I read Jane Goodall's words this morning they stuck home.
President Bush said he " will not tolerate " nuclear weapons in Iran.
From the New York Times and David E. Sanger:
Bush Says U.S. Will Not Tolerate Building of Nuclear Arms by Iran By DAVID E. SANGER.
While the war may be "over" Iraq is far from stabilized. American Forces are confronted with loyalists to the still missing Saddam who appear to be recruiting others to help fight their cause.
I was 4 years old when the Korean War started.
I remember the newsreels that brought terrible pictures of terrible cold, death, destruction.
The grandpop of one of my son's friends served there, doing ID's from dentures. When he came home, well, someone said to him, "Oh, you're back." Not exactly a ticker tape parade that.
So, here we are, all these years later. In a couple weeks, my fourth novel, Loving, will come out from Pharaoh Press.
In it there are four battle scenes: one from the Meuse Argonne; one from Anzio, a "real life" situation that plagued my deceased father-in-law until he passed on, so that one is for you, Sgt. Tony.
The third one came from my memories of the Korean snow and was written with my medic buddy, Harry Kieninger. who served at Cu Chi. This one is for you Grandpop Dick, and for all of your buddies who did not hear a resounding Welcome Home at the time. We thank you for your service. Welcome Home.
The last scene is in the tunnels at Cu Chi, a place that has been called the most devastated battlefield in the history of warfare.
To all of you, who served in all these endless wars, thank you for your service, and Welcome Home.
To those of you in active service, our prayers are with you.
History is our heritage. Knowing it impacts on our future. Not knowing it hampers our development.
We cannot teach "feel good" history, not "Pastology." It does us no good.
To understand and build our future, we must know our roots.
Our concern, as always, is with those at the front. Our prayers are with them all the time.
Questions are being raised, serious questions, about Iraq, its future, and our future there.
Summer started just a few days ago and the tv is filled with ads for the traditional forms of fun in the sun.
The daylight lasts longer; the barbecues are lit, the pools filled, the boats gased up. Well, for some of us. For others not so fortunate, the summer heat sizzles in the cities, old cars boil over.
And for over 160,000 of our women and men summer brings active service in combat areas. For some of them, summer never came.
Let us not forget them.
Our two missing soliders have been found - dead.
The "insurgency" continues.
The questions grow stronger.
My son came across this site and thought some of you might be interested:
Vietnam Database.
There are a few very special names in the world of the theater: Bette Davis, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart and Kate Hepburn.
She was her own point man.
She blazed her own trail.
Her forthrightness, her honesty, her great talent will be so missed.
The search is still on for the missing WMD's.
Questions are being asked of the administration and of the Intelligence community while our troops are in place facing the insurgence.
It is truly a day to celebrate freedom!
It is a day to offer thanks and prayers for those who have given all to protect it.
It is a day to remember that now those who served, who are serving, deserve not only your thanks, but your active support.
With active commitments in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, intervention of US Troops is being considered in Liberia.
We are 227 years old as a country now.
It was said around the world that it couldn't be done. That representative government of the kind outlined could not work.
It works.
How well it works is up to the people and our involvement in its daily functioning.
What does the word PATRIOT mean to you?
Do you consider yourself a PATRIOT?
Is that a mind-set word or an action word to you?
During WWII, one of the signs of Patriotism was having a Victory Garden. From an old radio AD:
You can have vegetables lots of them on your table next winter.
You can have your own fresh vegetables on your table this summer, if you have
your own Victory Garden.
Yes, there's no restriction on home canning and home processing of vegetables and
garden fruits and berries.
Plan your Victory Garden now.
Get your garden plot lined up.
Get the advice of a garden expert if you need it and be prepared to Grow Your
Own for Victory.
Join a Garden Club or a Community Garden Movement, or share a garden with
your neighbor.
You can help win the battle of food production You can help our fighting men get
the food they need.
You can help save the vital metals used in commercial canning if You Grow Your
Own Your Own Victory Garden in 1943.
For further information write to :
Victory Gardens
Washington, D.C.
Victory Gardens
Washington, D.C.
If Patriotism is an action word, what acts of patriotism were counted as such by non-combatants during the wars in Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the current engagements?
What support was/is given to the troops from the homefront?
What exactly does the word mean?
Consider too that those with whom one is engaged have their own definition of the word.
And while we are thinking about that one, can anyone come up with a workable definition of STATESMAN?
If you have some ideas about these words, write to me at FEEDBACK above and share them with us. If you want what you say posted, please so indicate that and how you would like it signed.
Once in awhile we come across a piece of writing that truly speaks to us; that truly 'says it like it is.'
Some of our most dearly treasured freedoms are those of Freedom Of Speech and Freedom of the Press.
Two of those so precious freedoms come together in the words of Al Martinez, columnist for the Los Angeles Times in an article we all would do well to read. Join the LA Times and Al
at Al Martinez:As Americans, we have the inherent right to disagree.
The costs of maintaining an American presence in Iraq continue to grow.
The troops will remain for the "foreseeable future."
Join the New York Times and THOM SHANKER at:Rumsfeld Doubles Estimate for Cost of Troops in Iraq.
The stories are out there about chemical tests on military personnel during the cold war.
For information on investigations concerning them visit the New York Times and Thom Shanker: Investigations of Chemicals Will Continue
By THOM SHANKER.
Despite the recent differences between the Bush Administration and the French, our two countries have a long, shared history. That is particularly evident here in Louisiana.
On July 14 the French celebrate Bastille Day.
Last year the Military Academy at West Point was decorated with the Legion of Honor for its service to France in WWI.
Senator Byrd refers to hearing the word "quagmire" coming up more and more frequently.
He expresses his opinion on the current situation in Iraq. I am wondering what opinions you have.
You may click on "FEEDBACK" and let me know if you wish.
From Alternet and Senator Byrd: We Must Ask the World for Help on Iraq By Sen. Robert Byrd July 11, 2003.
Monday morning I found a distress call from a Vietnam Vet living in a world of pain, alone.
I called the DVA for help. They were gracious, caring, and helpful giving me what I needed for him to get connected with help.
They are there for you.
In August, the 15th through the 19th, they have a convention here in New Orleans.
When I read Thom Shanker's article from the New York Times this morning, I got a definite feeling of dejavu.
Yearlong Tours an Option for 'Guerrilla' War in Iraq.
From the Washington Post and By Kevin Sullivan: 'Weekend Warriors' No More
National Guard's Expanded Role in Iraq Combines Risky Duties, Long Deployment.
As the days pass, as the reconstruction goes on, the numbers of losses of our troops increases.
The most recent from the 101: From the New York Times and KIRK SEMPLE 3 More U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq as Resistance Continue.
When we send people to a war zone individual faces get lost in the photos of collective troops.
The Times Picayune of New Orleans offers a Troop Tribute where you can submit a photo of your loved one on active duty.
For each of these photos there is an individual life,loved ones, hopes, and dreams. Our prayers are with each and everyone of you.
The Faces of our Troops.
The letters KIA indicate loss; a life ended, those close shattered. As the numbers climb, the grief swells and ripples.
The New York Times and Sarah Kershaw report the grief of the family of one Marine from Oregon who is not coming home. We all share their grief.
A Marine Is Killed in Iraq, and Grief Ripples at Home.
Sunday, July 27, 2003 brought us two landmarks.
We mourn the passing of Bob Hope whose USO shows brought hope into hell.
From the New York Times and the late Vincent Canby: Bob Hope, Comedic Master and Entertainer of Troops, Dies at 100.
Bob, thanks for the memories. Go with God.
It also marked the 50th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice.
Two questions:
Is there a Veterans' Memorial Park in your town?
What kind of condition is it in?
The US did not enter WWI until the spring of 1917. In January of that year, Woodrow Wilson made a proposal about the peace that would come at the end of the war.
The Versailles Treaty was a punitive peace and it can be said that the years between 1919 and 1939 were simply years of armistice. It is also being said, and I concur, that WWI did not have to happen. The First World War.
Can you even begin to imagine the course of the last century if it had not? That could provide you with some interesting What IF scenarios for writing.
We can learn from history if we choose to.
This link for a slide show was sent to me today.
It speaks for itself.
Remember the Blood of Heroes.
Live the questions now.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Each day the headlines rattle with angst, with fear, with anger, threats, counter threats, with negatives. A daily dose can leave you wondering, Has anything good, positive happened anywhere today? But if we stop to ask that question, we already know the answer is an affirmative. Yet how often do we hear of, or acknowledge the positive? the giving, the service rendered unconditionally?
In 2000, according to the USDA, 10.5% of US Households ( 20 million adults, and 13 million children) were "food insecure" because of a lack of resources.
Of these, the food insecurity of 3.3 million was enough to classify them as "hungry." 5.6 million adults and 2.7 million children lived in these hungry households.
Were you aware of that?
Are these "food insecure" people in your neighborhood?
How can you help?
Food Research Action Center.
Marilyn Knapp, webmistress of Tim O'Brien, Novelist
www.AuthorTimOBrien.com. notes that some areas and colleges are making The Things They Carried community reading.
Join Marilyn at Tim O'Brien, Novelist. for discussions of O'Brien's novels, short stories, appearances, etc. Those of you who know his work will enjoy the interviews, short stories, and biography. Those of you who do not yet know O'Brien's work will find some very interesting and important reading.
More and more areas and universities are beginning to take seriously the work of Vietnam writers and to treat their work as an integral part of American Literature. This appreciation of this body of work will help to lead to the long awaited Welcome Home.
Go to Tim O'Brien, Novelist. and learn about The Things They Carried.
Marines Deployed in Liberia. Remy Benoit
From the San Francisco Chronicle and Glenn McKenzie, Associated Press Writer: Seven-member Marine team deploys in Liberia's capital, marking first U.S. troops on ground
GLENN McKENZIE, Associated Press Writer.
For a history of Liberia: Liberian History.
August 7, 1942. Remy Benoit
A Guadalcanal Chronology 7 August 1942 - 6 March 1943.
Former Vice President Al Gore. Remy Benoit
The fundamentals of democracy include free speech and open debate. From Al Gore at MoveOn.org: Al Gore.
For who is supporting an independent commission on information concerning Iraq's weapons of mass destruction: Who's With Us?.
Intelligence and Iraq. Remy Benoit
The assessments, the commentaries continue on the potentiality of Iraqi weaponry.
From CIA Director Tenet and the Washington Post:Written Statement From CIA Director Tenet.
From Washington Post Writers Barton Gellman and Walter Pincus: Depiction of Threat Outgrew Supporting Evidence.
Thought for the Day. Remy Benoit
From Henry Beston:
One's first appreciation is a sense that the creation is still going on, that the creative forces are as great and as active today as they have ever been, and that tomorrow's morning will be as heroic as any of the world. Creation is here and now.
More Troops to Liberia. Remy Benoit
More US Troops to Liberia.
From the Washington Post and Bradley Graham: U.S. to Send 200 Troops To Liberia.
To learn about the operations of Navy Seals, visit: Naval Special Warfare Command.
Canadian Army Overseas in WWIII. Remy Benoit
Join Stan Scislowski, author of Not All of Us Were Brave, and his comrades at: Stan's Page: Reflections on Service With the Canadian Army Overseas. for an interesting and wonderfully presented account of the service of Canadians in World War II.
Propsed budget cuts for those in active combat and their families???.
Veterans for Common Sense.
From Veterans for Common Sense.
VCS Action Alert: Administration to cut pay for combat troops
Charles Sheehan-Miles.
All is NOT quiet on the Afghanistan Front. Remy Benoit
We have 8,500 US Forces in Afghanistan on active duty.
From the Times Picayune of New Orleans and the AP Press: Afghan insurgents fight police; 22 killed.
Vacation? Maybe, maybe not. Remy Benoit
Join Joe Robinson of Alternet.org for : Vacation Starvation.
How We Cope In Times of Stress. Remy Benoit
I came upon an interesting article in the Washington Post this morning by Jackie Spinner about "Flash Mobs."
I recall "Be-Ins," "Sit-Ins," massive protests and demonstrations.
Flash Mobs seem to be a new twist, a new way of expressing stress, societal fragmentation.
Death and Transition to Peace. Remy Benoit
From the New Orleans Times - Picayune this morning two stories reach out to us.
New Orleans buries Staff Sgt. Taft Virgil Williams its first casualty of the Iraqi war: Farewell Salute
by Tara Young.
And a story about Navy Lt. Cmdr. José Lavastida, a Navy Chaplin trying to help the soldiers make a peaceful transition to peace and home: Spiritual Oasis by James Varney.
Veterans Administration.
From Veterans for Common Sense, a letter from VA Head to employees: VA Secretary Promises to Care for Recently Wounded War Veterans Anthony Principi
Department of Veterans Affairs.
Anniversary of the Liberation of Paris. Remy Benoit
For a history of the Liberation of Paris go to:
Liberation of Paris.
The Last Weekend of Summer: Labor Day Weekend. Remy Benoit
School is already in session here. If it is not where you are, it will be next week.
Businesses are already gearing up for their Labor Day Sales.
But how many of us are aware of what Labor Day means?
The history of labor making gains for workers in this country is full of strife, often overt violence, and much heartache.
So, while you are grilling the burgers and dogs, toasting the marshmallows, give some thought to those who fought so long and hard so you were not working 7 days a week for $3.50.
The Writing Life: A Personal Note. Remy Benoit
Some folks have a romanticized view of "the writing life," perhaps seeing it as inspirational walks through rose gardens (well, yes, sometimes); as visits to old plantation houses ( those too, sometimes); as quiet, solitude, words flowing and heart glowing. Well, that too, sometimes.
There is the old view of the writer, banging away at a manual typewriter in the "wee small hours of the morning," cigarette, booze balanced so the keys can be hit.
Ukrainians and Poles replace the 3d Battalion, 23rd Marines in Iraq.
From James Varney and The Times Picayune of New Orleans: Change of Command.
Tropic Lightning News. Remy Benoit
Join at: Kirk Ramsey. for remembrances of his time in Vietnam, Tales of a War Far Away; for his 2/14 Vet Finder; for the wonderful pencil drawings he shares with us; for issues of Tropic Lightning News; and so much more.
If you have copies of Tropic Lightning News that he has not found yet, do help out and let him know. You too can share and help fill in the missing issues.
How is US Labor doing on Labor Day. Remy Benoit
These are the stats from the US Labor Force on unemployment this summer: United States Labor Force Statistics Seasonally Adjusted (in thousands) 1978 - Present.
Attacks on US Personnel Rising in Iraq . Remy Benoit
Despite the war being declared officially ended in May, attacks on US personnel are on the rise in Iraq.
Join the Washington Post at:
Report: Attacks on U.S. Personnel in Iraq Rising By Vernon LoebWashington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 2, 2003; 10:18 AM.
Number of Wounded in Action on Rise
Iraq Toll Reflects Medical Advances, Resistance Troops Face By Vernon Loeb Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, September 2, 2003; Page A01.
Bush Seeks Larger UN role in Iraq. Remy Benoit
From the Washington Post: U.S. Wants Larger U.N. Role in Iraq
More Peacekeeping Forces to Be Sought By Mike Allen and Vernon Loeb Washington Post Staff Writers Wednesday, September 3, 2003; Page A01.
Registered to Vote?. Remy Benoit
"Whatever America hopes to bring to pass in the world must first come to pass in the heart of America."
The cornerstone of our system of government is the franchise.
Thousands of years of history went into the idea of voting.
If you need to register: Voter Registration.
You don't even have to leave home to do it!
Expected request for more funding for Iraq. Remy Benoit
From the Washington Post:
Hill Braces For Iraq Request Lawmakers Want Details From Bush By Mike Allen and Thomas E. Ricks
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, September 5, 2003; Page A01.
and from David Ignatius of the Post:
Letting Iraq Save Itself By David Ignatius
Friday, September 5, 2003; Page A21.
Those Who Serve. Remy Benoit
What is wrong with this word picture? This is the reality for our Veterans.
From the New Orleans Times Picayune:
Veterans may lose benefits battle VA funding unlikely to restore cut services Saturday September 06, 2003 By Bruce Alpert Washington bureau.
Down history lane ( and be advised General Patton used strong language):General George S. Patton's Speech to the Third Army - the Unabridged Edition Somewhere in England June 5th, 1944.
A "Marine's Marine" General Ray Davis.
From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Warriors remember Ray Davis By TY TAGAMI.
Bush Speech, September 7, 2003.
President Bush.
For reactions to speech:
From Nebraska and the Star-Journal:
Nebraska delegation has mixed reaction to Bush address.
From Virginia the AP Press and the Virgina Pilot:
Bush Seeks $87B in Anti-Terror Funds By TERENCE HUNT
AP White House Correspondent.
From The Manchester Guardian:
Fear of $80bn Iraq bill moves Bush to address nation
Rory McCarthy in Baghdad, Duncan Campbell in Los Angeles and Richard Norton-Taylor Monday September 8, 2003.
National PTA. Remy Benoit
With school back in session, here is a link that can prove valuable to parents: National PTA.
International Day of Peace September 21. Remy Benoit
A United Nations resolution in 1981 established the International Day of Peace.
It was first celebrated September 1982.
For information on how you can take part: International Day of Peace.
Voices from Abroad.
From the BBC and Frank Gardner
BBC security correspondent: Is the US winning its war on terror?.
From Australia, the Sydney Morning Herald and Christopher Kremmer and staff reporters try to make sense of the Iraq conflict: The unanswered questions.
My Name is Peace. Remy Benoit
Let us all, all over the world, reflect on this terrible anniversary.
It has been said that we will be judged by the world we leave our children, and grandchildren.
Like all else, we have choice in that too.
Let us learn from our history on the planet so that we may buid a future.
But I am just one person, what can I do?. Remy Benoit
Each journey starts with the first step.
To do this, you don't have to move anything but your finger on your mouse: The Hunger Site.
From there just follow that still small voice within.
Alerts and Vigils.
From CNN online:
U.S. issues terror alert on 9/11.
Vigils mark 9/11 anniversary.
What Has Changed?. John Hathaway
The buildings are still torn asunder, though the rubble’s been cleared away.
The emptiness still echoes with the screams of witnesses, and those that fell on that sad day.
Apprehension is still very much alive, though familiar, it’s like carrying a pocket of sand;
barely noticeable, out of sight, but then some seeps out, and we’re made aware all over again.
Have our hearts changed? Have our souls’ eyes been opened to the suffering everywhere?
Have our habits changed? Have we finally learned to listen with our spirits and care?
Do we still cherish the laughter of our little ones, hold them closer and tight to our chest?
Have we learned to pray peace for everyone, ask for the ending of all unrest?
Are You Aware That..... Remy Benoit
5.9 million US mothers with very young or school age children do not have health insurance?
Millions of mothers lack health insurance coverage in the United States. Most uninsured mothers lack access both to employer-based coverage and to publicly subsidized health insurance.Guyer J, Broaddus M, Dude A.
Medical -- Hepatitis C Information Hepatitis C, a blood-borne virus, is now appearing in an alarming number of Vietnam vets after lying dormant for years. By Allison Wright Reprinted from the VFW Magazine, June 1999.
Kinda hard to swallow: Billing Wounded GI's for meals in hospitals. Remy Benoit
I came across this article in Stars and Stripes.
What are your reactions to this?
If you would like, send them to me and I will post here. Please remember that this site is for all age groups. A lot of school age children visit, so speak your piece with that in mind.
Congressman: Wounded troops shouldn't be billed for hospital meals
By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, September 12, 2003.
I am also sending e-mails to the leading potentials for presidential candidacy, asking for their reactions to this to be sent here.
Feedback. Remy Benoit
On the subject of charging soldiers for meals in hospitals.
$87 Billion. Remy Benoit
$87 Billion is a lot of money.
There is already much heated debate over this figure.
But for the average Jane and Joe, it is a number that is hard to comprehend.
If your home cost $100,000 that leaves $869,999,900. To get a handle on the number, put it in your calculator, subtract you annual costs, educating your children, and your pension figures. Round off a possible number for health care as you age and subtract that too.
Is the number still to high to grasp in family terms?
Then visit TomPaine.com for What $87 Billion Can Buy from The Center for American Progress is a nonpartisan research and educational institute based in Washington, D.C.
and WorkingforChange.com for:Russell Mokhiber CommonDreams.org
09.12.03 Other things you might do with $87 billion A dollar doesn't go as far as it used to -- but 87,000,000,000 of them do.
And I ask the question again, Why are our combat soldiers asked to pay for meals in hospitals? Yes, they have a subsistence allowance for meals normally, but isn't a combat injury an abnormal situation?
Let's here from you, and the potential candidates.
Wounded in Iraq, Deserted at Home
By Bill Berkowitz, WorkingForChange.com
September 12, 2003.
Which Way Does the Wind Blow?. Remy Benoit
Hurricane Isabel seemss to be headed for the North Carolina coast. Her winds have diminished to
115 mph but she is not just a lady coming to call.
If you are in the projected path, do take all precautions. Our prayers are with you.
Projected Path of Isabel.
There are also political winds blowing this morning. I got an e-mail asking me to vote yes or no on the possibility of Hilary Clinton for President. Do you have an opinion on that?
Remember That Pay Cut? Combat Pay for Soldiers in Iraq Expires September 30 Liam M. Truchard Springfield News-Leader (Missouri).
Which ever way the "winds" blow, we share the planet.
Visit with our co-habitors at:
World Wildlife Fund. They have some lovely free e-cards for you.
The Rainforest Site. Each click at the site saves
11.4 square feet of endangered rainforest.
Global Wildlife Center.
Another Hat in the Ring and this one with 4 stars. Remy Benoit
It is campaign time again.
With 8 Democrats already seeking the nomination, the retired general from Arkansas is to throw his hat in the ring today.
Clark Will Announce Run for Presidency
Retired General Joins 9 Democrats in Race
By Jim VandeHei Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 17, 2003; Page A01.
For information on the other candidates, check out the side bar on the page.
General to the Rescue? By Howard Kurtz Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, September 17, 2003; 8:55 AM.
For the Gentlemen. Remy Benoit
I came across this article from the AP Press in the Boston Globe and thought I would pass it along.
Prostate cancer linked to protein By Associated Press, 9/17/2003.
British Viewpoints from the Manchester Guardian. Remy Benoit
The question of the WMD's and of Saddam's connections with terrorists have yet to be resolved. Visit with the Manchester Guardian for some ideas from the United Kingdom on these topics.
Manchester Guardian.
Combat Pay. Remy Benoit
If you are interested in what is being done to secure the raise in combat pay that is being threatened , visit Senator Tom Daschle Introduces Bill to Grant Soldiers Combat Pay
Senator Tom Daschle United States Senate>
You may inform the Senator about your feelings from the link on the page.
They are there for us, let us be there for them.
Support Our Troops.
From TomPaine.com and Steve Robinson, Director of National Gulf War Resource Center: Support Our Troops.
National Gulf War Resource Center.
Southerners and the Military. Remy Benoit
I came across these articles in the Miami Herald and thought you would find them of interest:
Posted on Wed, Sep. 17, 2003 South giving most to war
Death toll from Mississippi twice the U.S. average
By PATRICK PETERSON The Biloxi (Miss.) Sun Herald.
Posted on Fri, Sep. 19, 2003 FLORIDA SOLDIERS Senator presses for service 'equity'U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson tries to use his power to get National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers brought home sooner from Iraq. BY PHIL LONG.
Voices of Dissent. Remy Benoit
One of the freedoms which we wish to protect here at home, and to put into place in Iraq, is freedom of speech.
Increasingly, voices are being raised in dissent concerning the war with Iraq.
Let this be said, that no matter what position is taken on the war, the soldiers who serve are US. When they come home, as they come home, be sure that you WELCOME them home. We must never go where we went before.
Say HEY to a soldier: Dear Member of the US Military.
Senator Kennedy: Bush's Iraq War Based on 'Fraud' Steve LaBlanc
Reuters http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&ncid=536&e=2&u=/ap/20030918/ap_on_go_co/kennedy_iraq Posted 9/19/2003 12:30:00 PM.
White House Ambushed by Criticism from America's Military Community
Andrew Gumbel Independent (UK) http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=445128 Posted 9/19/2003 9:49:00 PM.
Bring Them Home Now.
Senator Tom Daschle Introduces Bill to Grant Soldiers Combat Pay
Senator Tom Daschle United States Senate
http://thomas.loc.gov Posted 9/17/2003 9:50:00 PM>
Iraqi Economics.
From the AP Press and Nola.com Iraqi council announced plans to open all sectors of economy except oil to foreign investors
By PAUL GEITNER The Associated Press
9/21/03 8:53 AM.
It is about our children. Remy Benoit
I have long been an advocate of local schools, with parental involvement. They are places where you really get to know the students, and their families.
Way back when, I taught in a small middle school; about 25 on the faculty and 250 students. It was a close knit community for the young people. Each year their mothers would make a big luncheon for the faculty. We knew the parents, and they knew us.
Can that be said for regional schools, where the young people are bused 15-20+ miles? Where there are school populations of above 2000?
Sure, I am a first year Boomer - there were 1100 in my graduating class - Northeast High in Philly - 122! - but there was still a small school atmosphere, despite the rotating schedules, etc.
Young people need community, guidance, and support. It is 7:48 AM Central time...do you know where your children are? Do you know if they had breakfast, or what they are wearing today? Do you know their teachers' names, the subjects they are taking?
Here's a big one - do you know their friends?
Bill Gates is doing something about the small school thing: From the Washington Post and William Raspberry: Environmentally Challenged By William Raspberry
Monday, September 22, 2003; Page A23.
New homework help? Your school should have a Homework Hotline. This one can help too: The BeeHive School.
A Mother's Voice: Nancy Lessin,. Remy Benoit
There are many positions on the war with Iraq.
This is one mother's voice. In it, there are some things that are disturbing, no matter what your position on the current involvement.
Bring Our Children Home Now
By Nancy Lessin, AlterNet September 22, 2003.
Iraqi Reconstruction and HomeFront News.
From Alan Fram and the AP Press at Nola.com:
AP: Bush paper details Iraq spending plan.
From Barry Schweid and the AP Press at Nola.com:
Bush challenges, cajoles U.N. for backing.
On the HomeFront: From Curt Anderson and the AP Press at Nola.com: Ashcroft limits prosecutor discretion.
From H.Josef Hebert and the AP Press at Nola.com;
GOP puts Arctic oil in draft energy bill.
For more on the Arctic Wildlife Preserve: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Vietnamese to Open File on MIA's.
From CNN.com and ReutersVietnam opens files in MIA hunt.
Questions About Testing for Military Health.
From the Hartford Courant;Soldiers' Medical Testing Faulted Future Health Claims At Stake, Critics Say September 22, 2003
By THOMAS D. WILLIAMS, Courant Staff Writer.
Writing it Home. Remy Benoit
Words have power; great power.
In times of stress, in time of decision making, we can find our way to clarity of thought through the use of words.
Watching the news, reading the headline stories can cause much angst and generate feelings of "I am only one person, what can I do?" As Margaret Mead once pointed out, everything of world changing proportions began with the work of a few.
We don't always want to do things of world changing proportions. Sometimes we want to clarify things for ourselves. We can find our way through words. And yet, in changing our personal world, we change the whole world.
Currently we are being besieged with those who would like to run for President, with news from active combat fronts, with climatic problems, with research for "bunker busters," with AIDS, with a whole list of things tough to make decisions about.
When these things start to overwhelm, writing it out, writing out your feelings, your visceral reactions to them, can help you clarify your thinking and center you to make rational rather than emotional, decisions.
A simple question to ask yourself about a candidate for the highest national office is a basic one: would I want this person to babysit my chldren? Now that seems at first thought perhaps absurd, but is that not what we do when we elect someone to the Presidency? He, and one day she, becomes the care giver for the nation. When you listen to a candidate, what kind of care giving are you hearing about?
More questions follow.
Election 2004.
Time Election 2004.
"You're Never Too Old". Remy Benoit
I came upon this woman's voice on line this morning...born in 1910 and still letting her position be known, putting her actions behind her words.
Meet "Granny D" Worthy Dreams Doris 'Granny D' Haddock, GrannyD.com September 23, 2003.
Granny D.
Proposed Expenditures.
From CNN.com Senate GOP readies $87 billion Iraq bill that follows Bush request
Frist seeks approval by week's end>
From the Washington Post.com Congress Likely to Add to War Request
Lawmakers' Priorities Probably Will Push Bush Proposal Beyond $87 Billion By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post Staff Writer.
About Baseline Medical Records.
From Tom Paine.com Deserting Our Troops Steven Rosenfeld.
From Congress' General Accounting Office - please note this is a PDF file.Defense Health Care.
Energy Bill.
From Fox News.com Lawmakers Add Fuel to Energy Bill By Liza Porteus>
From the Alternative Energy Insitute: Alternative Energy.
And if you think you had a rough day, read the Autobiography of Mother Jones.
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Remy Benoit
When we send people to war some of them come home disabled for life.
We don't like to think about that, but it is the reality.
The reality is there are 2.3 million disabled Veterans in the United States today. From Vietnam alone there are 815,000. We did not do too well at welcoming them home.
If you can help build this Memorial, or just want to learn more and pass it along to someone who can, visit:Disabled Veterans Life Memorial.
The Year Ahead for the Supreme Court .
From the Washington Post:
Pledge of Allegiance Case Tops Docket in New Court Term By Charles Lane.
For a history of the
Pledge of Allegiance.
From a look at Francis Bellamy: The Pledge of Allegiance A Short History by Dr. John W. Baer.
Understanding Each Other. Remy Benoit
Two of the world's religions celebrate their Holy Days this month.
If we are to gain understanding of each other so we may learn cooperation and compassion we must learn of each other and dispel the myths of history.
For the Jewish people, Yom Kippur starts this evening. To understand the Holy Day, please visit: Yom Kippur. The traditional greeting is May you be well recorded in the Book.
To learn about the esoteric teachings of Jewish mysticism that are now being graciously shared with the world, please visit: Kabbalah.
The Moslems will be celebrating at the end of the month the Holy Days of Ramadan. For an understanding of Ramadan, please visit: Ramadan.The traditional greeting is Ramadan Mubarak.
Any dream we can dream, we can realize, if we learn to act rather than to re-act. Understanding each other, cooperation, and compassion are dreams that can be realized.
Confusions, Intentions, Realities.
After a twenty year absence, Yasmine Bahrani, an editor at USA Today, went home to Baghdad. Read her account of her visit at the Washington Post:After Shock Following a 20-year exile, her return to Iraq was a minefield By Yasmine Bahrani.
Lifeline for Young Adults. Remy Benoit
Sometimes life seems heavy. There are problems that seem to have no resolution.
But there are resolutions to all problems.
When we are young the problems seem overwhelming.
When we are young there often seems to be no help available.
Do you have a problem?
Do you think talking about it one on one is more than you can handle at this time?
Do you want help?
Now there is help online. It is a good place to start.
U Life Line.
Please get help if you are in crisis. There is only one you, and we all need you.
Have you looked out the window?. Remy Benoit
Autumn is here.
Have you taken the time to notice?
With urbanization we too often fail to take note of the seasonal changes other than to grab a sweater or a coat on the way out the door.
Give yourself a treat and stop for a moment just to appreciate the spectacular show the trees are putting on for you.
When the kids start asking why the leaves change color, here is an interesting and informative piece from Paul Vang of Butte, Montana, and the Montana Standard. Trees turning terrific.
Why did I pick Butte for this?
That is where my granny was born, way back in 1895.
Butte has an interesting history. Check it out at: Butte Montana - A Mining Camp's History.
Enjoy the harvest season and think about the times when we lived by the seasons. It will add focus to your life.
Civilian Administration and the Military.
From the Thomas E. Ricks and the Washington Post: Defense Official Moves to Ease Strained Relations With Army
By Thomas E. Ricks.
For Those of You Interested in Folklife. Remy Benoit
History is in the recording of the day lives and ways of people; their experiences, individual and collective.
For those of you interested in Folk Ways: American Folklife Center.
Up Close and Personal. Remy Benoit
Do you have friends or family in active service?
Does your local paper have a way for you to communicate with them?
Keep in mind, when you hear numbers of troops serving each number represents a real person, with a real family. Each number is a life with real dreams, goals, and aspirations. Keep each one in your prayers.
If your local paper isn't providing a way for you to communicate, show them this site from the Hammond, Louisiana Daily Star to motivate them.
Military Guestbook.
The Casualties of War. Remy Benoit
Last night the Democratic hopefuls squared off on CNN defending their positions on a variety of topics, including the Iraqi encounter. They were critical of the way things have gone in this pre-emptive war. The Administration holds to its position and defends it while reorganizing the Stabilization of Iraq under the leadership of Ms. Rice.
These are the casualties on the Front Lines. From CNN Special Report: War in Iraq: Forces: U.S. & Coalition/Casualties. We need to look at these soldiers who have given all. If we cannot look at those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, how can we look in the mirror?
We grieve as a nation for them, and with their families.
We can honor their ultimate sacrifice, as well as they sacrifice of those injured and disabled, by being aware of what is transpiring, by asking questions and demanding answers; by caring for the wounded, both physically and psychologically; and by being informed voters; and by going to the polls when the time comes.
For more on last night's debate and related issues:
American Friends Service Committee .
The American Friends Service Committe was formed during World War I for conscientious objectors. It has a long history of alternative service.
Some of its members have been in Iraq for months now. You may see their reports: Iraq Aftermath: the Human Face of War.
Voices.
From the Washington Post and Dana Milbank and Walter Pincus: Cheney Goes on Offensive Over Iraq Unyielding Speech Is Designed to Regain Support>
From Vote No War: I Vote To Bring the Troops Home Now.
From the AP Press, the Times Picayune and By Edith M. Lederer:Annan in discussions on getting revised U.S. resolution on Iraq.
From the AP Press, the Philadelphia Inquirer and
Sonya Ross: Bush says he'll get tougher on Cuba.
From the Philadelphia Inquirer and Stephan Salisbury concerning our Liberty Bell: Bell's move resonates harmony, decorum.
Military Families Speak Out.
The Hijab and School Authorities. Remy Benoit
Nashala "Tallah" Hern is 11 years old and a sixth grader in Oklahoma City.
She has been suspended from school for wearing her hijab, the traditional headress called for by her Muslim faith.
The district has a rule about not wearing head gear, ie. hats, etc., to prevent gang identity problems.
Tallah is not a gang member. She is a little girl practicing her faith. Where is "no child left behind" in this?
As a teacher for many years I have seen so much inflexibility in school authorities. It is incongruous that we fight to bring freedom of choice to a Muslim country while we deny a child the right to wear the hijab here in school.
For the full story visit Muslim girl suspended for head scarf.
If multi-culturalism is the platform in our schools then we must allow for its expression.
Come Sunday. Remy Benoit
Some things to be pondering this Sunday.
From CNN.com Parents: Special ed kids used as janitors.
Parent Training and Information Centers and Community Parent Resource Centers.
No Child Left Behind Resources.
From Betsy Hart, the Scripps Howard News Service and the Montana Standard: Yes, it's OK to tell the kids ‘no'.
From the AP Press and the Times Picayune: Huge explosion rocks central Baghdad outside hotel occupied by Americans.
Room to Read: Cambodian Literacy Program Needs Help.
From the Bangor Daily News in Maine: Are 'regionalized' schools better? Evidence says no. And hey, having taught in both, smaller schools, WITH parental involvement are better!
United States Navy.
October 13, 1775 marked the birth of the United States Navy.
Visit with our Navy at: United States Navy.
My Daddy was a Navy medic in World War II.
Happy Birthday, United States Navy!
Mercenaries in the "Wild West" .
From Veterans for Common Sense: UK Mercenaries Flood Iraq to "Protect" Foreign Companies Andrew Alderson Telegraph (UK).
Doc, "Friendly Fire" and Injured Soldiers.
“DOC!”
When the mouth of hell opened and the savage teeth of the insatiable gods of war started
tearing apart flesh that once suckled at a mother’s breast, that once rode piggy back on
dad’s shoulders, that once threw a baseball, or knew its first kiss, or never had time to, it
was “DOC” who was screamed for.
And Doc, how many Docs in how many wars, came to do whatever could be done. Some came carrying weapons, others ministered without personal weapons, but they came in the thick of the fog of war and did their utmost to save lives. They did what they could, loaded evac helicopters or trucks or litters or anything else that would move the injured from the field.
They rejoiced when their charges made it through; they live, each and everyday and each
and every night, with those who didn’t, always wondering “...if I coulda...would it have
made a difference?”
I have not talked with one who doesn’t still care, who doesn’t still most nights, wander
those battle fields, always looking to do more, paining that they couldn’t have done more
then.
But they haven’t forgotten those who made it back. They are aware of those who made it
back with physical, with psychological injuries and they are still answering the call...”DOC, we still need you there fighting for us.”
Joe Ohnstad, Career Military - Medic, (67/68as Combat Medi with the 13th Combat Aviation,Can Tho, VN/ 71/72 as Medical Adviser, Military Advisory Team 29, Phn Cat, VN) is a Retired Master Sergeant, still heeding the call and asking for YOUR help. This time it is for care of those who gave so much. This time it is for taking care of them now.
This time it is for fulfilling what I call Our Covenant: Be There for US and WE will be
There for YOU.
In this article, originally published in The High Plains Reader, May 8, 03 Joe asks us for
our support to help those who put it on the line for us, who are TODAY, putting it on the
line for us. They are US whatever your feelings on the current engagement.
This Doc feels strongly about what he feels is right for our soldiers who gave so much.
He has a few words for you on meals for injured soldiers, but I think you should be aware
that this is a man with a history of service that includes Four Bronze Star Medals,
including V Device for Heroism; Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal; Four Army
Commendations Medals; Six Good Conduct Medals; Vietnamese Civic Action Medal;
Vietnamese Technical Medal; Expert Field Medical Badge; Aircraft Crewman Badge. He is a man who did and does care.
From Joe on the subject of Meals for Injured Soldiers:
This Time the Marines NEED YOU. Remy Benoit
The Marines have been answering the call since 1775.
This time they need YOU to answer their call.
They would like to build a National Museum in Quantico, Virginia, and eventually an even larger Heritage Center. This is a combined effort of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the United States Marine Corps.
You know what it takes to build. It takes money, so let's open up those wallets and purses and show them that we stand behind them on this endeavor, just as they have always stood for us.
Join them atMarine Heritage.
Endangered Species and Water.
From Alternet, Michael Winship, and the Messenger Post Newspapers in Upstate New York: Tigers,Bears and Bush.
War/Budget Opposition. Remy Benoit
On October 25, 2003 massive anti-war demonstrations are planned world wide.
One of the groups in opposition to the current engagement is Vote No War.
Freedom of speech is one of the basic tenets of our land. The budget vote is coming this week. What is your position on the disposition of $87 billion dollars?
In the News.
From the Washington Post
and Colum Lynch : U.S. Gets Backing for More U.N. Aid in Iraq By Colum Lynch.
and Bradley Graham and Dana Milbank: Many Troops Dissatisfied, Iraq Poll Finds.
From the AP Press and the Times Picayune: Germany, France, Russia to OK resolution.
From the Guardian and Sophie Arie in Pompeii:Crowds throng Pompeii for a glimpse of Pope.
From CNN.com
China reveals space station plan.
and the AP Press House approves sanctions on Syria.
and Casey Wian Some educators take issue with textbooks.
and Muslim doll offers modest alternative to Barbie.
and from Bill Mears Supreme Court accepts Pledge of Allegiance case.
The Environment, Ecology, and the Election.
For some interesting ideas, polls, voting records, etc. visit with Grist Magazine.
Stars and Stripes and the US.
Stars and Stripes: The American Soldiers'Newspaper of World War I.
Messages of Support.
"Serving Those Who Served".
Our Flag.
School says Muslim girl can return with scarf.
OUR VETERANS NEED YOU. Remy Benoit
Our Veterans need health care.
Health care demands funding.
Please follow this link to Diabled American Veterans. and let your Representative, your Senators, and the President know where you stand on these issues.
BE THERE FOR THEM
Some Interesting Sites to Visit. Remy Benoit
It is a lovely cool morning with the sun shining through the arms of the live oaks scattering rays down to touch the earth. The cats are up doing their thing; the old Lhasa Apso content with his outing and his breakfast.
The family has been englarged the past week. When I went to the market there were two kittens someone had left there by the trash receptacle. They live here now and go by the names of Gracia and Jesse. We have also been joined by a lost hound dog who now answers to the name of Gaby.
Autumn is upon us and next weekend we go back to Standard Time. I shall, as always, miss the light in the evening. Yet each season brings its own joys. There are pears here from the neighbor's tree; there are yams ready for cooking. The neighbor's horse looks at me and sees apples, waits patiently, and then takes it gently from my hand. When I lived up north, this was apple picking time from the local farm. There are no apple trees around here, but there is a Farmers' Fair to go to.
Ah, but I ramble, and I promised some interesting sites.
The long nights leave time for reading. A good place to start is Project Gutenberg. where you will find one of my all time favorites: Christopher Morley's, The Haunted Bookshop.
For autumn color, let's do some travelling:
Autumn Colors of Estonian Peat Bogs.
From an artist who claimed he "saw color in his head" another favorite of mine: Wassily Kandinsky.
Autumn in New England.
Georgian Court College: The Red Maple.
For a buddy of mine up there:North Dakota.
From our Crescent City: French Quarter.
Autumn in Paris.
If you have a favorite site, please share it with us!
Have a lovely day!
Ellsberg Revisited.
From the AP Press and the Times Picayune: Ellsberg: Vietnam, Iraq similar conflicts.
Down History Lane:
Pentagon Papers.
From Reuters, Jane Sutton, November 25, 2002 and Common Dreams.org:Pentagon Papers' Ellsberg Sees Deja Vu in Iraq by Jane Sutton.
Voices.
From Public Campaign Action Fund.
From Senator Robert Byrd and Tom Pain.com The Emperor Has No Clothes.
From the AP Press and Fox News Iraqis Wed to GIs Face Uncertain Future.
From the AP Press and Fox News Iran Will Suspend Uranium Enrichment, Allow Nuke Spot Checks.
Hiroshima Mayor Protests Bush's New Nuclear Weapons 5-1-3.
Bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima.
Dalai Lama.
An exile from his native land, the spiritual head of his people, and an example to us all in compassion, the Dalai Lama of Tibet...from the Voice of America Dalai Lama to VOA "I Am Ready" to Meet China's Leaders.
A Prayer Circle. Remy Benoit
Some of us around the country are joining in combined prayer from now through the holidays...everyone I know has problems that need
resolution...
"Please remove all obstacles to peace, health, abundance, and love."
Let go of the outcome, let go of the means; open the doors of the Universe to healing and growth.
You are most welcome to join us and invite others.
Remy
Some Good News - Jim, they're back!. Remy Benoit
As Mr. Spock noted, it would be illogical to hunt whales to extinction.
So, some good news, from Reuters and CNN:
Southern right whales in big comeback.
A Challenge.
For those of you who have been working with writing and the seminar here, well, here's a challenge.
National Novel Writing Month.
They are looking for quantity...50,000 words, 175 pages in 30 days.
Take the challenge, you never know where it might lead!
Fort Stewart and Our Wounded.
It's about our wounded and what seems to NOT be happening:
From the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Jingle Davis and Veterans for Common Sense Pentagon and Congress Investigate Fort Stewart Scandal Jingle Davis.
From Steven Rosenfeld, Tom Paine.com and Alternet.org The Pentagon's Achilles Heel.
From the National Gulf War Resource Center
Sick, wounded U.S. troops held in squalor
NGWRC meets with the troops.
Anti-War Protestors Gather in Washington As Three More Die in Iraq and Investigations Continue Concerning Treatment of Wounded.
From the Washington Post and Manny Fernandez: Protesters Try to Revive Antiwar Effort.
From the Washington Post and Rajiv Chandrasekaran Three U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq Two Die in Mortar attack, Third Killed in Mosul Gunbattle.
From the Washington Post: Faces of the Fallen.
From Veterans for Common Sense, UPS International and Mark Benjamin Military Rushes Doctors to Assist Wounded Living in Squalor at Ft. Stewart Mark Benjamin
United Press International.
The Hunger Site.
In less than a minute a day, just a few clicks away, you can help feed the hungry, help a child, provide money for free mamograms, help preserve the rainforests, and help care for our animal friends.
Do visit The Hunger Site. and help to heal the world.
If you have more ideas to help to heal the world, please visit with us at The Niquahanam Project: Help to Heal the World. and share them.
Assistance at Fort Stewart.
From CNN.com Army secretary vows improvements at Fort Stewart Brownlee says sick, injured soldiers need better treatment.
Former POW's and Battle over Compensation.
From the New Orleans Times PicayuneAmerican ex-POWs fight own government White House blocking payments from Iraq.
In the News.
From CNN.com
Muslim world marks Ramadan.
More than 30 killed in Baghdad blasts
Two U.S. soldiers among the dead in wave of suicide attacks.
From Veterans For Common Sense, Scott Calvert, and the Baltimore Sun:
After Iraq, Guilt of Killing Tears a Soldier's Life Apart
Scott Calvert Baltimore Sun.
PTSD Alliance.
From the Kansas City Star:
Faces of Freedom.
Hooked on Books.
It's About Happiness.
Check this one out: World Database of Happiness.
You will find some surprises.
Love: Unconditional.
The Love Foundation.
Dreams.
Dreams have been recorded, discussed, encouraged, debunked, interpreted, etc. throughout our history.
Here is a place that discusses their role in our lives: Dreams Foundation.
Gearing up for Halloween.
From the Times-Picayune and Constance Snow:
Soldiers need treatment/Commentary/VVAF.
From United Press International and Mark Benjamin
Sick soldiers wait for treatment.
From the Manchester Guardian and George Monbiot
Tony Blair's new friend
Britain and the US claim a moral mandate - and back a dictator who boils victims to death.
From Stewart Nusbaumer and Intervention Magazine Vietnam, Again?.
From Vietnam Veterans of America and Michael Kranish Globe Staff No retreat, no surrender Vietnam hero Bobby Muller, a vet who inspired 'Born in the U.S.A.,' soldiers on for a cause, with help from the Boss.
Lyrics of Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA.
What are your thoughts? You are welcome to share them with us. Just click on Feedback.
Fear and Anxiety/Life and Love.
Emotion ToolKit.
Happy Halloween.
Did you ever wonder where all the Halloween customs came from?
Check out these sites for the answers!
History of Halloween.
History and Customs of Halloween.
Anything Southern: Halloween.
Opposition in Iraq/Democratic Hopefuls.
From CNN.com U.S. warns of 'day of resistance'.
From the Washington Post.com Conversation With the Candidates, Nov.3-7.
And from Alternet.org Bush Ignores Soldiers' Burials
By Christopher Scheer.
Happy November. Remy Benoit
This is the first of November.
With this month comes Veterans Day and Thanksgiving here in the States.
And, tomorrow is my Dad's ( Navy Medic, WWII) 76th Birthday. So, Happy Birthday, Dad!
We have much for which to be thankful. Just waking up each morning is a great gift. How often do you take the time to say Thank You for all the gifts in your life? Perhaps this is a good day to
start :)
Do you know there are Veterans Parks around the country that need cleaning up?
Is there one in your town?
If you were a Veteran and saw a park meant to honor you in a state of despair, how would you feel about that? What would that be saying to you? Is that what you want our Veterans to feel?
Can you organize a cleanup?
Can you also help our Veterans by supporting Veterans' issues; by contacting your Congress members, the President, and letting them know you support decent health care and other issues impacting on them?
Can you say Thank You to them? Try it. Say Thank You to a Vet and watch his/her face take on a glow. Just a simple, Thank you for your service will work wonders.
Veterans Day is on the 11th of this month.
What does Veterans Day mean to you? Write and tell me and I will post it for you. Do keep in mind, as always, we have visitors of all ages, and from around the world here. Express yourself with dignity, but do express your feelings about this remembrance day.
To learn the history of Veterans Day VFW Origins of Veterans Day.
In Canada, this day is known as Remembrance Day.
Anti-US Resistance.
Pamphlets dropped encouraged Anti-US Resistance in Iraq.
From Fox News.com
Thirteen Killed After Helicopter Attacked in Iraq.
From the Washington Post and Anthony Shahid Baghdad Jolted by Threat of New Attacks By Anthony Shadid.
From Veterans for Common Sense, the New York Times and Jeffrey Gettleman Deaths in Iraq Take a Steady Toll at Home.
From the Washington Post Faces of the Fallen.
Let us remember, BRING THIS HOME TO OURSELVES, that war is real, its savage jaws devour. We do not see today what we saw during the Vietnam engagement but the body bags are coming home; lives are being lost or shattered; families here and in Iraq are feeling real pain. While we are busy watching reality TV, our soldiers are facing the reality we sent them to.
We cannot sit on the sidelines.
Helping Military Families.
We Mourn.
From the AP Press and the Washington Post Rumsfeld Calls Day Tragic, But 'Necessary'.
From CommonDreams.org and the Vietnam Veterans of America At the Chinook site: the face of war.
From UPI International, Mitchell Prothero and Veterans for Common Sense First Response: View From the Medivac Team [at Chinook Crash Site]
P. Mitchell Prothero.
Also, from Ray McGovern and TomPaine.com Helicopter Down.
Sometimes We Need to Put Ourselves into the Overall Perspective.
We are not alone on this planet.
There is the planet itself.
There are a multitude of living forms. Once there were even more, but we rendered them extinct.
There are many other forms, and more and more it seems that they are not so unintelligent or without life as we once thought.
Sometimes we need to sit back, quiet ourselves, and think about the overall, and very long, history of this planet, as well as its future.
From Reuters, CNN.com and the perspective of the dinosaurs Volcanoes may have choked Earth, helped dinosaurs.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves what future generations will feel about the "boiling lava" that we continually spew onto the planet in oh so many forms.
Armistice Day.
After the "war to end all wars" came Armistice Day.
Armistice Day.
Survey of Armistice Day Newspaper Coverage.
"Transfer Tubes".
From the Toronto Star, Tim Harper and Veterans for Common Sense.org Bush Hides War Dead; Body Bags now Called 'Transfer Tubes'
All the news - sometimes.
From CNN.com Wolf Blitzer and Bernard Goldberg Media critic: Tell the whole story on Iraq.
The Faces of War.
From CNN.com Chinook survivors recall crash ordeal.
From The New York Times, Maureen Dowd, and Veterans for Common Sense.org
Death Be Not Loud
Maureen Dowd.
Black Hawk Down.
From the Washington Post 6 Dead as Army Helicopter Crashes in Iraq.
Ancient Incan City Found.
From CNN.com Lost city near Machu Picchu found.
Heavy Casualty Week for US Soldiers.
From CNN.com Deaths mount in bloody week for troops in Iraq.
From Veterans for Common Sense, The St. Petersburg Times and Wes Allison Worry and Frustration Take Toll at Fort Campbell.
From Veterans for Common Sense, The Hill and Klaus Marre Republicans Strip 'No War Profiteering' Section from $87 Billion Iraq Bill.
Veterans Day.
Tomorrow is Veterans Day.
Buy a poppy.
Thank a Veteran for his or her service.
Pray for those in service now.
Support legislation for Veterans.
Be there for them.
A Fighting Perth Remembers. Stan Scislowski
A Remembrance Day Speech at Veterans Appreciation Day being held at the International Press Club in Windsor.
The night was black as pitch, no moon, no stars, no flash of artillery fire to light the way for the Canadian infantry moving forward to the start-line of their next attack. The night was unusually quiet, as though both armies
facing each other in the flatlands of the North Italian plains had gone to bed early. The only sound came from the scuffle of the infantrymen's boots on gravel as they worked their way forward. To a man, as always, they fervently hoped that the advance would be a 'walkover', but it was not to be. The enemy had not gone away, and they had not gone to bed early. Except for those momentarily relieved of weapons post duty, the enemy was very much awake and alert. They
were in positions all through the area with their weapons trained at the single point where they were sure the Canadian attack would come in on them, and that was the roadway crossing the Fosso Munio stream.
In the lead section of the lead platoon of the Perth Regiment from Stratford, Ontario spearheading the attack was a 17 year old Windsor lad. Actually, too young to have been inducted into the army, Lance Corporal Freddie Lytwyn
had to have lied about his age to get in the army. But he was a veteran now, a veteran of several hard-fought battles as he marched on towards yet another battle, this one only five days before Christmas, hoping, as all
men do when going into battle that it would be an easy affair and that he would come out
of it okay.
Undetected thus far as they approached the start-line at the roadway crossing of the insignificant narrow watercourse, they entered a roadside drainage ditch, and with stealth. made good time on the way to their first objective.
They strained their eyes peering into the black fields around them to catch signs of enemy presence—to evade them if they could, or to throw fire at them if that had to be. The immediate danger, however, was not in the open fields
to their left, nor was it in the impenetrable darkness on their right. It was straight ahead along the line of the ditch. An enemy machine-gun crew hidden behind a stone culvert waited for them, their weapon pointing down the line of
that ditch. Their weapon, an MG 42 rated at 1200 rounds per minute, almost twice as fast as the Bren, could, in the narrow confine of the ditch do considerable slaughter. There was no way the man behind the gun could miss the unsuspecting approaching platoon.
At 25 yards range the enemy Fusilier squeezed the trigger— the gun ripping off a long burst. 400 steel jacketed slugs slammed into the bodies of the lead two sections. Twelve men died instantly, their bodies literally torn apart in the slash of bullets. Back along the column, others a little slower to react to the 'ripping canvas' sound of the gun, threw themselves onto the slick sides of the ditch, but they delayed only by seconds their own deaths. Somewhere in that pile of torn bodies was that of the 17 year old Windsor lad. He was too young to have to die in battle. . .He was too young to die at any time. He, like so many countless others of our generation had been denied by the cruel fates of war to reach manhood, to love, to marry, to raise a family, to enjoy all those things that we as survivors have taken for granted. And so, in eternal thankfulness to God that somehow we were spared a similar fate and allowed to live out our lives as He had intended, it is only fit and
proper that on Remembrance Day we should pause and pay tribute to their supreme sacrifice.
I’ve taken the liberty of describing the last moments in the life of one inordinately young Canadian who represents the hundred thousand and more other Canadians who laid down their lives in War. I have done this for a
reason, that reason being that it is much easier to focus one thoughts onto one individual than onto a faceless multitude. In remembering one. . . you remember all.
Veterans Day.
From CNN.com
WWI veterans remember their service.
From the Washington Post.com and Steve VogelIncoming Troops, Outgoing Vets Soldiers From Other Wars Help Those From Iraq at BWI.
Perhaps some of you who were not Welcomed Home might find forgiveness and healing in Welcoming the new generation home. Just a thought. You are all brothers and sisters. Can you return love for what you were denied? I know you are strong enough to do that. Again, just a thought.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
From Veterans for Common Sense.org 750 War Veterans Urge Bush to Support Troops.
To all of you who have been there, Thank you for your service and Welcome Home.
A Home Lost to War.
From the Washington Post and Anthony Shadid 'I'm Waiting for My Destiny'Baghdad Family Made Homeless by U.S. Missile Still Can't Rebuild.
9/11 Intelligence .
From CNN.com
W.H. to let 9/11 panel review briefings.
Gore accuses Bush of undermining freedoms.
Pay Problems for Combatants.
From Veterans for Common Sense.org, Lisa Myers and MSNBC GAO report: 94 percent of reservists have pay complications.
An American Dream. Greg Aurand
To Whom It May Concern:
I owe the IRS and the State of Idaho nearly $34,000 in income taxes.
They are in the process (or have already done so) of filing lien and levy against my property (what little I have). They may then seize my wages, bank accounts, assets, and property to pay the debt I owe. I also owe the local hospital, clinic and regional heart center for emergency treatment I received for tachyarrhythmia and hypertension. I have been unemployed since August of 2001. I have been unable to secure any meaningful employment. I received money from an inheritance in 2001 and 2002. I have used this money to live on. I overestimated the amount of money I would receive and my ability to put it to good use. I received less than anticipated and, being unable to secure employment, essentially ran out of money. Now I am in debt, and in jeopardy of losing everything I have. I just cannot seem to get over the hump and free myself of poverty, debt and unemployment.
How I ended up in this situation has been a long and difficult struggle for me personally. I'm not sure where to begin, but some background
information about myself may help you understand.
I grew up in Iowa, graduated high school in 1979, and worked for the Chicago and Northwestern Rail Road. I was laid off in 1980.After becoming unemployed, I decided to enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in March of 1981. During the five years I served I was promoted meritoriously to the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for Meritorious Achievement. I was a career
Marine, and had a promising future ahead of me. However, I decided to end my enlistment to obtain a college education and some pride for my father.
After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, I selected Idaho as the best place to receive a college education. I put myself through school with the Veterans Education Assistance Program (a small monthly
allotment of $227), money I had saved and earned working, grants and student loans. I graduated from the University of Idaho in 1993 with a
B.S. in Wildland Recreation Management, a minor in Natural Resource Communication, 168 semester credits, a grade point average of 3.12, credit
card dept, a bad credit rating, and over eighteen thousand dollars in student loan principle now due.
Since graduation, I have not been able to obtain permanent full time employment. I have essentially worked Seasonal Jobs. I have been an
environmental education intern, a seasonal street maintenance worker, a seasonal field forester, a seasonal wildland fire fighter, a seasonal
building maintenance worker, and a seasonal park ranger. I have been more than successful at all these occupations, but unable to secure full time
permanent employment with any of these or other employers. During my lay-off periods I collected Unemployment Insurance and completed the required job searches.
I was last employed in Lewiston with a company they recruited. A telemarketing company. I worked on the phones for nine months, and then
took a position in quality control for nine more months. Needless to say, working in this field disgusted me. I quit when my position was
eliminated and I was required to go back and work on the phones. The company moved out of town this past summer and relocated to India, of all places.
During the summers I was in school I worked seasonally for the Forest Service as a Forest Technician and a Naturalist and lived in their bunkhouses. While in school, I rented a small apartment. However, when I worked as a park ranger I lived in a tent for three months during the summer of 1996. That fall I purchased a 12-foot camper and lived throughout the winter and through the summer of 1997. I took a winter job
at another park and was given government housing until I was laid off in the fall of 1998. I moved to Lewiston and purchased a 19-foot camper and
lived in that for three years and three months.
I remained unemployed the entire year of 1999 in Lewiston, collected unemployment for most of the year and completed the required job searches; I went on food stamps, community assistance, and energy assistance and completed the required job searches for the food stamp program. The telemarketing company hired me the last week of December 1999.
Needless to say, I was depressed about my failure to obtain a permanent job with any of my former employers. I had lost all confidence in my
ability to secure a full time job. For over a year I was unable to land even a part time job in Lewiston. I had low self-esteem until the
telemarketing company hired me. At first this was an exciting job; however, this soon changed after working on the phones, when I realized I
was the telemarketer that everyone loves to hate. I didn't trust the products the company sold and disliked calling people who were hostile
towards telemarketers. Unfortunately it is sometimes the only employment in town.
In April of 2000 my father died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Suicide. This devastated me. I am still not sure I'm over it yet. I have fits of sorrow and grief, anger and rage. It's frustrating and confusing and there just aren't any answers. Unfortunately I was unable to attend his funeral in Iowa, which angered me further. I loved and respected him very much, and it hurts to know I'm missing out on all the things we would have done together.
In May of 2000 my mother was evacuated from Los Alamos, NM and her house burned down in a wild fire started accidentally by the Park Service. This was traumatic and very sad. It was scary and I was very worried about the safety of my mother. She had lost her home and she is not well. My mother is in her second cancer remission and has suffered two heart attacks.
I took a leave of absence from work for a month to travel to New Mexico to help my mother and make sure she was safe and taken care of. And then I went to Iowa to say goodbye and pay my respects to my father and meet with the executors.
In March of 2002, I had a reunion with my best friend after losing contact for nine years. We served together during our first enlistment in the Marine Corps and remained in close contact until 1995. He remained in the Corps for 15 years, and was then medically discharged. My friend was like a brother to me and I loved him very much. In September 2002 my friend died of a self-inflected gunshot wound. Suicide. This crushed me beyond limits I thought possible. I am having difficulty writing about it right now. This Marine was a highly decorated combat veteran. He was a hero to me and to many, many other people who loved him as well. I was able to attend his funeral. I was a pallbearer at his military honors burial at a National Veterans Cemetery.
Once again I suffered and continue to suffer the loss, confusion, and frustration at a needless death.
I have spent the past year volunteering my time to help his mother understand the Marine behind the man. I have unselfishly dedicated myself to setting the record straight for my Brother Marine. I have logged hundreds and hundreds of hours working on three main projects for him and his Mother.
My friend was a 100% disabled veteran suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He had also broken his neck while being shot at in
Somalia. This, he thought entitled him to a Purple Heart Medal. That March, during our reunion, I promised him I would look into it.
Unfortunately he died before I could finish my work.
His mother has given me access to his military records for my research. During my initial review I discovered he had been overlooked for a Medal he should have been awarded during the first Gulf War in 1990. I created a recommendation package and submitted it in December of 2002. The Commandant of the Marine Corps approved my recommendation and my friend
was awarded the Armed Forced Reserve Medal with Bronze Letter "M" (Posthumously) in February of 2003. I only wish he were here so I could
pin it on him.
It took me a year to document and verify all his medals, ribbons, and awards for his family. I created a small booklet with color graphics describing each medal, ribbon and award, what the award is, why it was awarded, and every time he received an award. Myself and the other
pallbearers presented his mother with a custom made walnut box to store all his awards and medals. I personally hand finished the box with hand rubbed oil and wax and had it engraved with the Marine Corps emblem and his name, rank and serial number.
This past August I completed my research for the Purple Heart Medal and submitted an award recommendation package to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. To date I have not heard back from them.
During the summer of 2003, I also completed research on my father's military service. I was able to obtain his military service records and DD214 and submitted requests for his veteran's burial benefits. This was not done during his funeral. I received his burial flag, submitted a request for the Presidential Memorial Certificate, and ordered his gravesite marker. Unfortunately, too much time had expired to receive the funeral allotment.
I took two buddies bow hunting on September 29th. While they hunted, I had two sudden attacks of Ventricular Tachycardia or Tachyarrhythmia
lasting nearly an hour each. What happens is my heart suddenly starts beating at nearly 180 beats per minute, sometimes even faster. At this
rate it can't pump blood efficiently. I lose circulation, my hands and arms turn blue, I can't catch my breath, and I'm on the verge of passing
out. At just past 5:00pm that evening, while sitting on the couch, I had another sudden attack, but this one felt different -- worse! I called my
neighbors and they took me to the local hospital emergency room. It took the doctors over 2 hours to slow my heart rate down. My blood pressure
was 245/163 and my heart rate was 183 beats per minute. Needless to say this was very scary! I've been diagnosed with Hypertension, a thickened heart, and an arrhythmia, either Ventricular Tachycardia or Tachyarrhythmia. The doctors aren't sure yet. My illnesses may cause
stroke, or sudden cardiac death. They have not been able to diagnose the cause of the arrhythmia, but are treating me for the hypertension. I have had to cancel my follow-up appointments with the cardiologist and further testing. I cannot afford to continue with treatment and testing, since this incident has put me further in debt.
I inherited 20% of my father's estate. A large part of his estate was an IRA. The IRS and the State of Iowa assessed the value of the IRA along with the rest of his property and business and collected estate taxes -- death taxes in excess of $140,000 to the IRS and $80,000 to the state of Iowa.
To pay the estate taxes, my family was required to sell our half interest in the family farm. Since 1962, it was the place I grew up, hunted and fished, and learned the value of hard work and the ethics of conservation. My father's ashes are now scattered on the hill of that wonderful place. And it is no longer in the family. We now need permission to visit. The
gravesite marker I have requested cannot be place there according to the VA, it must be placed in a distant cemetery somewhere else.
When the moneys from the estate were disbursed, I was required to pay income taxes on that portion which came from the IRA. The law does not allow me to roll it over into an IRA in my name. This money was taxed twice. I just don't understand how they can justify that.
I used the money to better my life - or so I thought that's what I was doing. My student loans were delinquent, and I used the money to rehabilitate them over a year and then I paid them off in 2002. For my education, I paid over $32,000 in principle and interest from student
loans alone. And this past tax year, I was not allowed to deduct the interest paid on those loans because "I earned too much."
I moved out of my camper in March of 2002 and purchased a small doublewide trailer. I relocated from Lewiston up the valley seven miles
from Orofino. Because I lived on the money I received, instead of paying the estimated income tax (which I didn't know I could do), I am now in
jeopardy of losing everything I have, even property I owned before my father died.
Yes, I made some mistakes. Circumstances have worked against me as well. I did not foresee being unemployed for so long. My debt to the government is very large in my mind. So large, that I cannot imagine ever getting out from under it. Yet, President Bush just gave away 82 BILLION dollars of our money to the Iraqis. What is my dept compared to just this one instance of aid given to a foreign country. It just doesn't make sense to me that they can receive so much of our help in an unimaginably large amount of money, and I cannot find or receive any aid or relief from my
debt. I'm not against paying my fair share of taxes to support our troops, but in my mind the government taxed my inheritance twice. What is
my debt compared to the billions and billions Congress and the President spend every year? I will be stripped of my home, and my property and left to the streets like a common criminal.
Semper Fi,
Gregory D. Aurand.
4441 Cavendish Road #5
Lenore, Idaho 83541
(208) 476-0757
kingfisher@orofino-id.com
10 November 2003
In the News.
From Veterans for Common Sense, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and Charles Pope: Men Between 18 and 22 Beware: Bush May Resume Forced Military Draft for Iraq War.
From CNN.com
Bush unfazed by UK protests.
From the Times Picayune of New Orleans and Slobodan Lekic of the AP Press:400th US soldier dies; Bremer meets governing Council on self-government plan.
When the Center Does Not Hold and Directives are Ambiguous/Free Fire.
War is a terrible thing, in the truest sense of the word. Things fall apart. Sometimes bad things happen. We need to learn from them. We raise our children with certain values, and then we put them in positions where things fall apart. Sometimes they fall apart very badly. We need to look at this and ask why, how, and what can we do to never see this again. Yes, we need to know this, moms, dads, siblings, new generations so we don't need to know this kind of thing happened again.
What does a free fire zone mean? really mean.
Face the truth and lose the euphemisms.
From the Toledo Blade, Alter Net.org
The Scalping Party
By Mike Davis, tomdispatch.com
November 14, 2003.
A Balde Investigation: Buried Secrets, Brutal Truths by MICHAEL D. SALLAH and MITCH WEISS.
2 Black Hawks Crash.
From Cnn.com Two Black Hawks crash in Mosul.
Today Making History.
From Veterans for Common Sense.org
and the International Herald Tribune with Zbigniew Brzezinski, National Security Adviser to President Jimmy Carter To lead, U.S. must give up paranoid policies.
and Cable Network News, John Raedler Black Hawks crash death toll rises to 17.
and the New York Times, Neela Banerjee Rebuilding Bodies, and Lives, Maimed by War.
For links to Military Newspapers Online.
Mourning at Fort Campbell.
From the Washington Post and Manuel Roig-Franzia Mourning Fallen Eagles At Fort Campbell, Death Yet Again Hits Home.
US Launches New Offensive in Iraq.
From CNN.com U.S. launches new offensive in Iraq Russia casts doubts on U.S. transition-of-power plan.
From Air Force Times Helicopters in Iraq now flying lower, faster.
From Marine Corps Times I MEF earns Presidential Unit Citation.
From Navy Times New reserve unit formed in Mississippi.
48 Hours to Review 1000 pages.
Re: New Energy Bill
From MoveOn.org 2003 Energy Bill. PDF
Italy Mourns Dead.
From CNN.com Italy says farewell to Iraq dead.
US and Vietnam Today.
From CNN.com Vietnam visit signals new ties.
And from Easter Island and CNN.com Easter Island's statues await facelift.
Keep Your Humanity.
I read this Open Letter awhile ago and have been walking about my backyard deciding if I should link to it for you.
As you know, I ask that things you send me are careful with their use of language. This letter is not. It uses the language, shall we say, of the field.
This letter is the position of one man who has been there, who has known the elephant.
This letter takes a very pointed position on Vietnam and Iraq, and that position is not flattering to these encounters nor to encumbent administrations.
We all know, even if we do not want to acknowledge that, we all know that war changes people, that on both sides bad things happen.
For those who were there for the bad things, those bad things stay with them, forever. In war all that we know is turned upside down and combatants are challenged with the dilemma of fighting a war and maintaining their humanity.
As I was walking about the yard it occured to me that if combatants, as Goff suggests, do not have to come to "hate the enemy," how do they fight them? Are we capable of active combat with humanity? Many have shown that we are; others have known the blood lust and its concomitants.
Mr. Goff's Open Letter neglects the atrocities of the people of the country, Vietnam and Iraq, in this case, against their own. Our press tends to talk about the mistakes of our own, not theirs and theirs as you have told us, were many, and terrible.
His position is that of opposition to the current engagement, is critical of the previous engagement. There is no mistaking that. That position may not please many of you.
And yet, after walking about the yard, I found that I felt he had something to say that needs to be said. "I changed over there in Vietnam and they were not nice changes either."
So, with these comments, with a warning that the language is strong, political, there is something in this letter than needs to be recognized, by all sides: that war challenges humanity of each individual. How that challenge is met determines the rest of that individual's life. Note the anger in his message; note the attempt to warn a current generation of combatants of the challenge to their humanity.
Published on Saturday, November 15, 2003 by Counterpunch Hold On to Your Humanity: An Open Letter to GIs in Iraq by Stan Goff (US Army Retired).
Bush and Blair.
From Fox News.com
Bush, Blair Remain Defiant on Terrorism.
President Bush's Speech at Whitehall.
From Veterans for Common Sense and Working for Change.com Petition to ask President Bush to attend the funeral of a fallen soldier.
US and Vietnam.
From CNN.com U.S. warship docks in Vietnam.
For a history of US and Vietnam at war American Experience: Vietnam Online.
For a History of Vietnam.
New York, Pasta, and Memories.
This is a beautiful piece of writing; one that touches the heart, the mind, and the soul.
From The New York Times, David C. Botti, and Veterans for Common Sense.org The War Within.
40 Years Ago Today.
I was on a bus, going to my Aunt's to have my hair done for a Senior Prom that night. It wasn't mine. My Senior Prom came the following June. The people who told me were classmates of mine from sixth grade who I hadn't seen since then.
The prom was not held that night.
Two days later I was talking with a close friend on the phone, sitting in front of the tv set. He said, "Did you see that?"
A lot of us saw that.
We were in shock.
We had Advisors in Vietnam.
There were more shocks to come: Dr. King; Bobby Kennedy.
Cities burning.
Body Bags.
Conversations with Lizard’s Bones and Wizard’s Stones. Al Beck
Reviewed by Remy Benoit
I have never met Al Beck, and yet I know him.
I was never in his classroom and yet, he has taught me.
Here in Conversations with Lizard’s Bones and Wizard’s Stones, his ninth book of poems, prose and drawings, he once again reaches out, touches, inspires, and asks much of us.
He is an artist.
He is a poet.
He is a writer.
He is a teacher in the truest sense of the word because he transmits ideas that insist that we each find our creative expression..
He insists that the educational system assist us in finding our creative expression.
He entertains, he makes us sometimes uncomfortable with truths to be faced.
He challenges the entire educational process that is in place, that has been in place for decade upon decade.
He asks that we consider that education is meant to enlighten, encourage, and bring out the best of our own personal creativity instead of just “just giving back the facts” without ever really learning what they mean.
He could have slipped into the pedantic mode in his crusade against educational pedantics. He did not do that. He speaks to us, with us, in drawings, in insightful lyrics. This Veteran of the Korean Conflict; Professor Emeritus from Culver –Stockton College; folk singer; creator of the Pyrapod; this champion trying to overcome “the traditional autocratic attiude which continues to be prevalent in many classrooms today,” challenges our creativity with his insights, with his creative ways of sharing them.
The subservient
mind’s a sponge absorbing
someone else’s chaos.
Al’s poems, verse, drawings leave us with the question, what do we really want for the education of our children? Do we want to hear the answer I heard when I asked a young friend just graduated from high school, What did you learn in the last twelve years of school? I learned to regurgitate information.
Or do we want to hear I began to learn who I am, I began to see my vast potential.
As Al puts it:
My handle on life
is broken. Now I grab it
by the cutting edge.
Grab the cutting edge of this special gift Al Beck is offering and delight in, be challenged by Conversations With Lizard’s Bones and Wizard’s Stones.
You may reach Al Beck at:
5987 County Road 231
Monroe City, MO 63456
Or e-mail him at Al Beck.
abeck@marktwain.net
The cost of this treasure is $11. Contact Al for an autographed copy.
Conversations With Lizard’s Bones and Wizard’s Stories by Al Beck has just been released by the publisher Lorien House Press.
Beck comments that this book reflects the confrontation with both ferociuosly reptilian minds as well as magical creative spirits.
Many of his fresh ideas often have their origin in ancient traditions.
Beck’s ninth book blends poetry, drawings, stories and songs in an entertaining manner.
Al, Beck, Professor Emeritus of Art from Culver-Stockton College is included in the the international reference book 2000 Outstanding Writers of the 20th Century by the International Biographickal Center in England. In addition to his recognition as a creative writer and educator, he has won numberous art awards and prizes through his career in clay, glass, papercasting, painting and design. Beck has also been a professional folksinger for the past half century, singing in Chicago night clubs as well as giving concerts throughout France for the United States Information Agency.
In addition to life’s insights on time, nature and the human spirit through his poetry, CONVERSATIONS incorporates both stories Beck refers to as “autobiographitti” as well as articles on his methods for developing changes in our present educational process.
Marjan Glavac, Editor of The Busy Educator’s National Newletter says,
“After one of THOSE weeks teaching school, I read Al Beck’s book in the park on a sunny and warm day amid the laughter of children, romantic couples and other quiet readers at picnic tables. Beck gives a great overview of the highs and lows of teaching and the institution of education with all its flaws and how to overcome them. There are profound thoughts simply told for those new and old to education. The poems, stories, stongs and illustrations leap out at you and hold you, making you reflect on your own life.”
Others have found a “playful irreverence” for conventional expectations in his work.
Beck comments, “I enjoy piercing minds with a verbalor visual knife. My focusis to wed personal expression to the universal cry for a connection of our human spirit to our intellect.”
His new book, Conversations With Lizard Bones and Wizard’s Stones, can be obtained from the author for eleven dollars which includes mailing expenses.
To contact the author for an autographed copy of his book, write him at
5987 County Road 231, Monroe City, MO. 63456
or e-mail him at Al Beck.
abeck@marktwain.net
Casuality Rates Continue to Rise.
From the AP Press and Fox News.com
Afghanistan Chopper Crash Kills Five U.S. Soldiers.
Two American Soldiers Killed in Mosul.
From UPI and Mark Benjamin, November 14, 2003
U.S. casualties from Iraq war top 9,000.
Thanksgiving Week. Remy Benoit
Our lives seem progressively more hurried.
We have less vacation time than most other countries.
We are at war on more than one front and the casuality rates keep rising.
Our paychecks aren't keeping up with costs.
Thousands of jobs have disappeared.
TV, magazines, Internet news sources give us tips for "Turkey Day" diminishing its meaning.
So, what do we have for which to be thankful?
Perhaps we should just stop and look around.
President Bush at Fort Carson, Colorado.
From the Washington Post and Mike Allen Bush Visits Army Post With Heavy Casualties in Iraq
Meeting With Families Of Dead Is His Third Since War Began.
From the Virginian-Pilot and Matthew Dolan The final transfer, to Dover, for war's dead.
In the news.
From Free Republic.com and Fred Zimmerman
At end of training, Marines say Mongols ready for duty in Iraq.
From Islamic History to 1600 Islamic History.
About Our Pets.
One of the things we are thankful for is our pets.
From The Green Guide. some tips on safe care of them.
Gulf Soldiers/Gulf War Syndrome and the UK.
From the Guardian Soldiers to sue over new Gulf War syndrome Mark Townsend.
Something Awesome.
The holidays are sometimes difficult to deal with. There are such great expectations, and sometimes, such great disappointments that in many ways we set ourselves up for.
A high school classmate sent me this site this morning. It is amazing. And, it will help to put things into perspective. So, from Barry to me, from me to you. Hubble.
Happy Thanksgiving.
So You Thought Your Family Was the Only One.
From Alternet.org and Bethany Allen, Africana.com
Holidays Are From Hell--and Heaven.
Happy Thanksgiving.
For a history of
Thanksgiving Celebrations Throughout History.
For celebrations of Thanksgiving in Other Countries.
Enjoy your celebration.
Blessings,
Remy
Early and Severe Flu Season.
From CNN.com Thousands sickened in early, severe flu season Especially virulent strain of virus is cropping up.
The Terrible Face of War.
From the Washington Post and Theola Labbé Facing the Horrific Every Day Army Hospital in Baghdad Is First Refuge for U.S. Casualties.
Spanish Intelligence People Killed in Iraq.
From CNN.com Spain: Intelligence agents 'assassinated' in Iraq Seven killed, one wounded in ambush south of Baghdad.
Attacks Continue in Iraq.
From the AP Press and Fox News.com Americans, Allies Targeted in Iraq.
From the Washington Post, an Editorial A New Approach.
From the AP Press, Mar Roman, and the New Orleans Times Picayune Government resists, but opposition demands Iraq pullout after latest deaths.
Stepping back into history, but still dealing with its problems - from the Philadelphia Inquirer and Jeff Shields A push to rectify Nazi-era looting of a 'Gold Train'.
A Change in Tactics.
From CNN anchor Martin Savidge Grange: Ambush shows change in guerrilla tactics.
'Tis the Beginning of the Season.
Happy December!
This is a special time of year. It is a time that can be glorious; it is also often a time of great stress.
For a look at how Christmas is celebrated around the world, visit with Christmas Traditions. Do take note of their section on holiday stress.
For a look at celebrations of Kwanza, visit with Kwanza.
Hanukkah is celebrated this month. For the celebrations of the Festival of Light, visit with Hanukkah.
Whatever you are celebrating this month, keep in mind the true meaning of your holiday. Try to not build up unrealistic expectations but to enjoy the warmth and sharing of the celebration.
I would love to hear from you on the topic of the perfect holiday celebration. What would you be doing if all the decisions about its celebration would be left to you?
Is there such a thing as the "perfect Christmas?" Jean Luc found one in the Nexus and walked away from it. There is both sadness and courage in that decision. Think about it - would you have stayed for the perfect Christmas, or moved back into your real world? Just a question for thought.
Whatever your holiday, whatever your celebration, I wish you peace.
Remy
Women for Women International.
What you can do to help Women for Women International.
President Carter Writes a Novel.
From CNN.com and Time in an interview with Jimmy Carter and Massimo Calabresi 10 Questions for Jimmy Carter.
For Reviews of Mr. Carter's book Hornet's Nest.
Is This Happening in Your Neighborhood?.
From the Washington Post and Mary Otto In Search of a Place to Park Himself Pr. George's Man Has Scores of Model Cars but Nowhere to Call Home.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
Military Misdiagnosis.
From the Dallas Morning News, Nancy Barr Canson and Veterans for Common Sense A soldier's tale: Military misdiagnosis.
Omnibus Appropriations Bill and More.
For a look at this pending bill from the perspective of the Natural Resources Defense Council.
From AlterNet and Robert Kennedy Jr. Crimes Against Nature.
From Tom Paine.com, Steven Rosenfeld, and Howard Zinn Another McCarthy Era.
From Tom Paine.com Why Target Greenpeace.
Senator Byrd to Block Omnibus Bill.
From the Washington Post.com and Helen Dewar Byrd to Block Omnibus Funding Bill Senator Says He'll Oppose GOP Bid for Passage With No Roll Call.
Christmas Cookies.
This is the time for the luscious smell of cookies baking.
From the Philadelphia ( my home town ) Inquirer and Marilynn Marter A world of Christmas cookies.
Traveling Again to the Moon May be on the Agenda.
From the Washington Post and Mike Allen and Kathy Sawyer Return to Moon May Be on Agenda.
NASA.
NASAKIDS.
Meanwhile down here on the planet
From CNN.com Roadside bomb kills 3 Iraqis, U.S. soldier Tokyo: Japanese diplomats were shot in car.
From Fox News.com and the AP Press Train Bomb Kills 36 Near Chechnya.
The following is the opening quote from my newest book, Loving, soon to be released by Pharaoh Press, UK. It fits here this morning:
The Christmas Star: Italy, 1943. Stan Scislowski
From the author of NOT ALL OF US WERE BRAVE about the 5th Canadian Armoured Division
At midnight we were on the move again, with at least five hours march yet to go. If we thought the going had been tough on the first half of the
march, we were soon to find out by comparison with the last half, we had up till now, taken only a leisurely stroll through the park.
Marching in daylight is so much easier than any night march. In daylight a man can see where he’s going and rarely, if ever will run up the backside of the man ahead, tread on his
heels, stumble on a rock, or make a misstep. A night march, on the other hand, almost without fail, ends up being a test of one’s patience and
endurance—mainly patience. As always is the case when this happens, the night resounds to the
angry shouts of men cursing each other for one reason or another. Such was the case on this particular night. We were so vocal, that if it had gone like this at the front, the enemy would have heard us coming from 10 miles away.
After two hours of fighting our way through a scrubland wilderness, we found ourselves slogging along another bone-dry riverbed. Fortunately for us the stones in this one weren’t quite as large as the rocks we’d been tripping and stumbling over earlier. After about two hours of groping our way through the inky darkness, the column entered a deep cleft in a mountainside, a cleft so deep and so narrow we could just barely make out the starlit sky above us.
Through this cleft ran a trickle of water bubbling over a base of rounded stones. After a couple more hours of groping and stumbling and cursing our way through the subterranean passage we were pretty well worn out. Legs felt like rubber not muscle and bone, while ankles throbbed from the punishment of stepping on the smooth stones of the watercourse. Shoulders ached under the irritation and pressure of webbing, while the inside of our thighs were rubbed raw by the coarse, woolen khaki of our trousers. As the hours dragged on, we kept going and going and going till I thought we’d never stop. I couldn’t see us being in any condition for any simulated assault of a hilltop, come daybreak.
Although I've never been a devout churchgoer and hardly ever uttered a prayer except in a rude and unpracticed way, a religious feeling swept over me in the two hours before first light. Straight ahead in the narrow segment of southern sky visible in the great cleft in the mountain we were slogging our way through, my eyes locked onto a bright, twinkling star. Had it not been only two days before Christmas I would not have thought anything about it.
On this occasion, however, being so close to Christmas I got to thinking about the night when Jesus was born in the manger at Bethlehem and how the three wise men traversing through the cold desert night by camel were guided by a star to where the Christ child lay. So, I fixed my eyes on that star, and all through the last leg of our trek I never took my eye off it. My thoughts on that night of nights focused on the holy birth. And, would you believe it? I no longer felt weary to the point of dropping? Rather, I felt strong and fresh enough to go another three hours. Just concentrating my thoughts on that holy night of close to 2000 years ago, and keeping my eyes on the star had a remarkable effect on me.
Strange, but true!
NRA.
From the Washington Post and Sharon Theimer NRA Seeks Status as News Outlet.
From Alternet.org and Bill Moyers The Media Consolidation Beat Goes On
By Bill Moyers, NOW.
Nation Books.
MOYERS, BILL U.S. Broadcast Journalist.
From Common Dreams.org and Bill Moyers This is Your Story - The Progressive Story of America. Pass It On.
by Bill Moyers.
Pearl Harbor Day December 7, 1941.
Pearl Harbor: Remembered.
Ships Present at Pearl Harbor, 0800 7 December 1941.
Comprehensive List of Pearl Harbor Casualties Civilian and Military Deaths on Oahu, Hawaii, Dec. 7, 1941.
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Sunday, December 7, 1941.
"A Date which will live in infamy".
PEARL HARBOR FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT'S Speech to the U.S. Congress on December 8th, 1941 (as delivered).
USS Arizona.
From the Tucson Citizen and Paul L. Allen UA's memorial lounge recalls 'day of infamy'Young people realize need to remember.
US and Coalition Casualties/War Crimes Tribunal.
From CNN.com Special Report War in Iraq.
From CNN.com
U.S. commander: Violence likely to increase Lawmakers urge U.S. to let Iraqis choose own leaders.
Iraqi council OKs war crimes tribunal.
From Journalism.org Understanding Military Rank Ed Offley, from his book Pen & Sword.
A Soldier's Night Before Christmas.
A Soldier's Night Before Christmas.
This site has many, many parodies of the traditional tale. Most are okayed for children, but note that some are marked Adult.
From Star Trek, to Buffy, to the Borg and Babylon Five, they are all here!
History of Christmas.
Christmas.
This site has a Friends link where you can leave a message and make a new friend if you like.
Basic Call to Consciousness.
The Six Nations of the Hau de no sau nee presented a paper to the United Nations back in 1978. Its word are perhaps even more relevant today.
Somethings to think about A Basic Call to Consciousness
The Hau de no sau nee Address to the Western World Geneva, Switzerland, Autumn 1977.
What many in this country are not aware of is the debt of the Founding Fathers to the Iroquois Confederacy in the writing of our Constitution.
Iroquois Law of Peace.
Law of Peace and the US Constitution.
Once upon a time Christmases.
From CNN.com New York: Historic homes ready for holidays.
New Offensive in Afghanistan.
From CNN.com Major Afghan offensive launched.
Afghanistan.
From the AP Press and the Seattle Times U.S.: Taliban would attack Afghan council By PAUL HAVEN Associated Press Writer.
Christmas, Ortona, 1943.
This came to me today. It seems that it was published in a Canadian Army Newspaper back in 1943.
While we are preparing for the holidays, let us keep in mind that part of our national family is on the front lines. Some of them died today. Some of them were injured, some seriously. While forces were in Italy in '43, the war was a collective effort of the whole nation. That is not so today. You are not rationing sugar, nor gas. You are not "painting" stockings on your legs. You are probably not changing your vacation plans.
Some of you are praying desperately for loved ones.
If you can do nothing else for those in active service, you can wrap them in prayer, and when they do come home, remember to say, Thanks for Your Service, and Welcome Home.
From Ortona, 1943
Who Will Help Reconstruct Iraq/ and Who Won't.
From the Washington Post and Jackie Spinner Only Allies to Help With Rebuilding U.S. to Deny Contracts to Firms From Nonsupporting Nations.
History is a not simple. Like everything everyone does, the "butterfly effect" of history ripples through lives. From Common Dreams.org and by Felicity Arbuthnot Dear Mr President - About the Iraq National Symphony Orchestra....
Bah Humbug!. Remy Benoit
Are you a Christmas person surrounded by those who constantly just "don't get it?"
Take the time with these books, give them as presents.
If you are thinking of Skipping Christmas, check that out with John Grisham first. You will find it a lot more complicated than you could possibly imagine!
If you are, or know, someone who can't get to the place of commitment, hop aboard The Christmas Train with David Baldacci
And hey, is Santa Claus real? Let Jerry B. Jenkins, Twas the Night Before: A Love Story, answer that question for you.
Enjoy!
Reconstruction Contracts for Iraq.
From CNN.com Anger over Iraq contracts list.
Just A Common Soldier.
Almost 6 months after I put this hear I have received an e-mail from the man who wrote it! I was delighted to hear from him as so many of you have sent me this poem and he should know how much his words have touched you.
The author of this piece is A. Lawrence Vaincourt and you may join him at WELCOME TO RHYMES & REFLECTIONS
The Humor and Writings of A. Lawrence Vaincourt.
So, now we know who authored this, and it is something to think about.
Resignations in Iraqi Army.
A special note first: If I am not here for a couple days, or answering your e-mails right away, please be patient. This old computer is making screaming noises. I will have a replacement soon, so please bear with me. If any of you can help with the costs of maintaining this site, it would be most appreciated. Please click on DONATE. THANKS SO MUCH, Remy
From CNN.com Coalition: Nearly half of new Iraqi army has quit Explosions heard at U.S. compound.
Saddam Captured.
From CNN.com U.S.: 'We got him'
Saddam captured near Tikrit.
WOLVERINES !!
If Red Dawn and Wolverines don't ring bells with you, check out the 1984 movie with Patrick Swayze, RED DAWN.
Christmas, 1932. Stan Scislowski
If you are running out to 'shop 'till you drop' this week, may I suggest that you make a cuppa and sit down and read this first.
As always, Stan shares from the heart.
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Only two Christmases stand out in my memory. This isn't to say that all the others, especially those when my children were young enough to
believe in Santa Claus weren't enjoyable and memorable—they were. But the two I'm speaking about here had come under unusual circumstances and situations, adverse conditions such as should have cloaked them in a shroud of unhappiness.
The first one I speak of is the Christmas of 1932, the year my father died. It was a snowless Christmas, not as cold as one would expect at that time of year. On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, my brother Joe, myself and my sister Olga were sitting on the front steps of our run-down house, a house badly in need of a paint-job. My mother couldn't afford to buy paint.
We sat there talking about Christmas and Santa Claus, of course and I came out with 'I hope Santa Claus brings me a hockey stick and a Snakes & Ladders game.'
My sister piped up with, "Santa Claus doesn't come to poor people's houses."
This shook me to the core, and I exclaimed, "Why?" Olga answered, "Because. He just doesn't come to poor people's houses." Blunt, but true. Strangely though, for a lad as young as I was(8) I thought about it for awhile, and then came to terms with it. "If that's the way it is, then that's the way it has to be."
While we sat there in cheerless conversation under a gloomy sky, a stake truck drove up and stopped in front of our place. A man on the passenger side got out and ran up the sidewalk with a clipboard and a sheaf of papers on
it. He showed it to Olga, pointing a finger at a name thereon and asked if this family (ours) lived there (1554 Parent Ave.), to which Olga nodded assent.
The man turned about and hollered to the two men standing amidst a load of bushel baskets, and cardboard cartons. "Okay, fellows, let's go!"
Whereupon the three men carrying two bushel baskets full of groceries, candies, and other Christmas goodies, along with a large meat-basket(never see these around anymore) full of meat and a plucked goose, made their way up the sidewalk.
With the excitement as only kids our age could display at being handed something good and special we followed Olga as she directed the men around to the back entrance where the largesse was deposited on the kitchen floor to the urprise and tearful enjoyment of my mother.
The Goodfellows of Windsor had come through at the last minute and brought Christmas to the Scislowski/Hedgewick household when the prospects of a Merry Christmas appeared so bleak.
Thanks to some kind soul in the neighbourhood for turning in our names to the Goodfellows we were well on the way to having a Christmas elebration, a celebration that would be enhanced by the events of the wee hours of the night when we were tucked away under our feather-tick blankets, sound asleep.
Since Olga had made it known to me that Santa wouldn't be stopping at our house, I had no intention of waking up bright and early on Christmas morn-ing. We had no tree set up and no decorations anywhere in the house. It would be
just another humdrum day for us except for the traditional Christmas goose dinner with all the trimmings my mother could now prepare for us.
And so, when morning dawned, while I was deep in some dream long since forgotten, my brother Joe brusquely shook me awake, "Stan, Stan, come on see what Santa brought you!" It took a few seconds to get my wits about me before I leaped out of bed, almost ran into the Quebec heater (an upright wood and coal stove) and when I burst into the living-room, or front room, as we called it, there before my dancing eyes were balloons floating around and garlands
hanging from the ceiling, and best of all, a three-foot decorated Christmas tree set up on a table in the corner, around it sat brightly wrapped boxes of gifts from Santa. I literally jumped out of my skin when I spied the hockey
stick standing by the table with my name on the tag— To Stanley from Santa. And,yes, there was also a Snakes & Ladders game.
To say our household was filled with excited shouts and squeals of delight and merriness was to describe it in the mildest of terms. It was joy beyond joy and it all came out of adversity.
The Christmas tree and the presents and decorations came out of the hearts and kindness of my oldest sister Annie and my oldest brothers Peter and Mike, who somehow put enough nickels and dimes and pennies together from their
meagre earnings, Annie's from her house-cleaning jobs and Peter from his door-to-door selling of rugs and vacuum cleaners, and Mike from caddy-jobs and Border City Star paperboy earnings.
The reader, I hope, can see the message therein and why this Christmas of 1932 stands out in the memory.
Thank you, Stan for that, and for those of you reading, is there a "Goodfellows" in your neighborhood? Is there someone you need to call about, or perhaps visit with yourself?
59 Seconds That Changed the World.
The 100th anniversary of the flight at Kitty Hawk -
from CNN.com Dignitaries gather to honor first flight 100th anniversary marks day Wright brothers made history.
Chirac and Religious Symbols.
From CNN.com
Chirac: Ban headscarves in schools.
Once upon a time, way back in the Dark Ages when I was in school, we used to enjoy learning about each other's holidays and traditions. We made paper Christmas trees and Menorrahs. We played with dreidels, and learned each other's songs.
So, I have to ask this question as we see articles like this in France and here in the US.
Is this an adult issue, an adult problem that is not shared by the young people who really don't care what you are wearing about your neck, or on your head?
Would it not be more conducive to understanding, sharing to make the time to learn about the history, traditions, customes, holidays of each other, than to make all this fuss? Is this an adult issue that is truly a non-issue trying to be legislated into one?
I recall back in 5th grade when a young girl I had known from 1st grade on came up to me and said."Do you know the difference between you and me." I recall looking at her and saying, "No." She looked at me and said, "I'm black and you're white." My response was, "So...?" She said, "So let's go play."
I'm with you, Louise. Let's just let it be, and go play!.
Happy Chanukah.
Chanukah celebrations begin on Friday night with the lighting of the first candle of this Festival of Lights.
For the history of Chanukah The Story of Chanukah Holiday Central Editor: Rivka C. Berman.
One of my favorite memories of this time of year was that of the front window of a friend of mine's family. The huge Christmas tree would be in full view from the street with the Menorrah more brightly lit in front of it with each passing night. So Marty, if you are out there somewhere, Hey, call for a pizza for us!
Happy Chanukah!
Old Time Christmas in Butte.
From the Montana Standard and Walter Hinick Return to Meaderville. A recreation of 1948
Meaderville display spurs memories By Barbara LaBoe of The Montana Standard.
Please note that the high school students did this!
Butte was my grandma's home town! So, this one's for you Grandma. Miss you.
Medical Evacuations.
From UPI and Mark Benjamin Medical evacuations from Iraq near 11,000.
From the Washingtong Post and Steve Vogel Doctors Seeing More Brain Injuries From Iraq
Protective Gear May Be Contributing to Rate Higher Than in Previous Wars By Steve Vogel.
For the Children.
From CNN.com Children's hospitals overwhelmed with gifts.
Don't forget that our many of our Veterans are in hospitals too and would love to hear from you. For the locations of VA Facilities visit:
Veterans Facility Directory.
Armed Forces Relief Fund.
With the continuance of engagements abroad, many of our service people and their families are facing extreme financial hardship.
YOU CAN HELP Armed Forces Relief Trust.
4 Days Before Christmas.
From CNN.com Libyan announcement merits mixed reaction Leaders and Pan Am relatives disagree.
Time "Person" of the Year: The American Soldier.
From Time Magazine and CNN.com
Time Person of Year: The American soldier.
Condition: Orange.
From the Washington Post.com and John Mintz Terror Threat Level Raised to Orange.
Vietnam Babylift 1975.
Lana Noone, Vietnam Babylift historian, author, and mom, has created (with webmaster, Vietnam Veteran Charles B. Wilber) a website whose goal is to re-unite many "threads" of the Vietnam Babylift Era.
They include adoptees, adoptive and birth families, Vietnam Veterans, Civilian
and Military Women (DAO), and all those impacted by this historic event.
Do Visit with this important site: Vietnam Baby Lift 1975.
Louisiana Bicentennial.
From CNN.com New Orleans marks Louisiana Purchase anniversary.
From The Times Picayune of New Orleans and James Gill Once again, French get short end of stick.
The New Orleans Cabildo
Colonial Louisiana’s First City Government, 1769–1803 Gilbert C. Din and John E. Harkins.
Louisiana Purchase.
Battle of New Orleans By A. Wilson Greene.
Lewis and Clark.
It's About Life.
It is still dark outside this morning just two days before Christmas. The unusual cold here has softened some and it is just coolish and humid outside.
I just came back in a few moments ago after carrying my almost seventeen year old Lhasa Apso outside to do what needed taking care of. Then I lifted him and carried him back up the front stairs as they are, all four of them, are just too much for him now. I don't know if he will make it through the holidays and I can feel he is wondering too just what it is that is happening to him as he holds his paws around my neck.
His name is Gypsy because when he was little he fit into the palm of my hand and liked so much to travel about in the truck with me. His kennel name is Misha's Song. Misha was an adorable mixture of Labrador and Cocker Spaniel. His long black hair was like silk. Misha is a diminutive for Michael, and also means little bear. When he was six years old he fell victim to leukemia.
Misha was named for Michael who was a German Shepherd, totally protective of me with a thing for pancakes and drinking beer from a bottle.
All three of these dogs loved life, and me as I do them. They knew, Misha and Michael, the joy of the adventure of each new day. Gypsy is deaf, he is blind, almost toothless at this point, but I watch him sniff the air and he knows too that it is morning even though still dark and remains so now for him.
This year the tree won't have the precious heirloom ornaments because two little kittens live here now. One morning several weeks ago, I went to a town called Robert. There is a small supermarket there, immaculately kept and run by warm and friendly people. Many of the cashiers are young girls doing the work I did at their age. Well, that particular morning, one of the women who works there told me that someone had left two little kittens in the trash.
They live here now; their names are Gracia and Jesse. The older cats have accepted them as has Gypsy. There is a hound here too, lost, and not yet reunited with kith and kin.
The cats like to sit with the cockatiels as they sing along with ABBA or Gloria Estefan, their favorites.
All of these animals celebrate the blessings of life.
They have much to teach us as they share bowls of food, yes, of course, including what is on my plate.
It makes me wonder if we are too easily ready to put life in the trash heap; if we have grown too busy, too callous to sniff the morning air and know that each minute of each day holds such vast potential for adventure, for sharing, for the peace of Gloria singing about an arbolito, a little tree.
Have we forgotten that we were meant to sing along together?
To share our bowls of food?
We are at war; there is an orange alert; there are terrorists, and poverty and hunger and war all with their insatiable jaws feeding on us.
Or are we serving ourselves up to these gaping maws?
Perhaps that is the question this holiday season: what are we going to do about it?
Einstein once said something to the affect that you need a different kind of thinking to solve a problem than the kind of thinking that got you into the problem in the first place.
Let's not throw life into the trash can as each life that is thrown there diminishes all life. Let's think about that and remember what Rabbi Hillel said in the first century BCE:
If not now, when?
If not by me, by whom?
My prayers for all of us. May we learn to reflect the beauty of the Creation we were given; the wonder of each moment of life.
Remy
Project Gutenberg.
Project Gutenberg is helping to preserve literature.
Can you help?
Do you have time to proofread a page a day?
Project Gutenberg.
Hero Miles - You Can Help a GI Get Home.
Find out how at Hero Miles.
What we are capable of Achieving, and Sharing.
I spent today in New Orleans at the New Orleans Museum of Art gifted by the people of Egypt who have loaned us an extraordinary collection. If you are anywhere near the Crescent City from now until the 25th of February this is a MUST SEE collection.
The exhibit, The Quest for Immortality, is presented with grace, attended with respect. The people, and there were many, visiting today, were hushed, intent, and awed by this loan from the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Cairo.
The exhibition was organized by United Exhibits Group, Copenhagen and the National Gallery of Art in cooperation with the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
An added delight is the recently completed Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden just behind the museum. The lush almost 5 acre garden is home to fifty scupltures, live oaks, pines, magnolias, and camellias.
Designed by Lee Ledbetter of Lee Ledbetter Architects of New Orleans, and landscape architect Brian Sawyer of Sawyer/Berson, New York the Sculpture Garden is open to the public at no charge.
It is beautiful, an enchanted oasis, and again something you do not want to miss.
NOMA.
This visit, and those of you who spend time here know I have a grasshopper mind, led me to thinking of the tremendous beauty of which we are capable.
There is Monet's Giverny.
There were the The Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
We could spend all night here listing the beauty we are capable of creating.
Let that be our intent as the old year ends and the new begins.
Let us tap the best of our creative powers; let us share. Thank you Egypt for what you have so graciously shared with New Orleans.
Sometimes Christmas Doesn't Go Quite The Way You Planned It.
From the Times Picayune readers Yule Be Sorry.
Blessings.
May the holiday season bring you joy, love, abundance, and health.
Let us place peace in our hearts so we may bring peace in the world.
Happy Holidays,
Remy
Bethlehem.
From CNN.com and John Vause Bleak Days in Bethlehem.
Reinstate Draft???.
From Time Magazine Should the Draft Be Reinstated?.
Boxing Day.
Boxing Day originated in England where servants had to work on Christmas Day. The day after, they were given off, given boxed presents. Boxing Day.
I went to the news online this morning and found myself on immediate overload: poison gases take lives; mudslides, a terrible life eating earthquake in Iran; air crashes; assassination attempts; orange alerts, and, of course, war.
We are instantly connected now. We cannot claim the ostrich position. We KNOW even when we don't want to. We know the hurt, the pain, the need and we KNOW how very fragile the planet is.
A wonderful man I know sent people he knew a smile for Christmas; a smile to be passed on to others. It can begin with a smile; a helping hand. Sometimes all it takes to be able to carry on is the knowledge that someone knows, that someone cares, that someone stands behind you and tells you, "Yes, you can, my dear." I know what those words meant to me during a rough time.
Yes, we can, we all can if we help each other.
Let me ask you a question. How many of you know the kind of person who literally sucks the air out of a room with their negativity making everyone uncomfortable, edgy?
Iraq.
From the Washington Post, Jackie Spinner and Ariana unjung Cha U.S. Decisions On Iraq Spending Made in Private.
Who Will Care for the Children?.
In my book, Letty, which takes place between 1873 and 1920, the main characters raise the question about the newly emerging industrial society - Who will raise the children?
It is over 100 years later and we are still asking the same question.
From Senator Chris Dodd (D) of Connecticut and Tom Paine.com America's Forgotten Future.
Tragedy in Iran.
A terrible tragedy has visited the people of Iran. May they find the strength and help they need to face this great loss. Supreme leader visits quake zone.
Vietnam Dog Tags.
I was referred to this site this morning.
It will be of interest to many of you.
Vietnam Dog Tags.
Evolution is More Important that Resolutions. Remy Benoit
Happy New Year!
Just remember this quote from Anais Nin:
Dreams are necessary to life.
We hold on to too much that we don’t need and that leaves us too little space in our lives for that which we do need. The things that we continue to carry with us from our vast history of expectations and obligations can weigh very heavy on the now us. They can stifle the possible us.
What We Owe Those Who Serve.
This is an editorial from the Washington Post. It is a reminder of our,personal and public, debt to, and the responsibility for, those who serve. Our prayers are with you.
Keep letters and packages going to those in service. Let them know we are here for them. And when they come home, don't forget the Welcome Home.
Don't leave them unattended when they are mending.
Understand that they have known things that will leave emotional scars.
Understand that a Vet is one who has served you.
New Year.
David Hackworth.
From Soldiers for the Truth and David Hackworth Saddam in the Slammer, so why are we on Orange?.
Also from Soliders for the Truth: Holiday Care for the Troops.
Domestic Violence.
From CNN.com Lieberman is proposing a Lieberman offers domestic violence plan.
This plan is directed toward women and children, but we must remember that men are abused too.
And yes, we still need legislation about this issue, but the bigger issue remains with us. What is it about the way we live, the way we raise our children, that allows this domestic violence to occur?
If he, if she, hurts you, physically or verbally, sorry, that is not love. Love is kind. Get help.
National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Battered Men.
What Men Can Do to Stop Domestic Violence.
Women Against Domestic Violence, Inc.
Excuses for Domestic Violence.
Remember the simple Biblical phrase: Love is kind.
If you need help, you need to ask for it. Don't worry about the embarassment that the one who should love you the most is hurting you. That is an ego thing; help is a survival and healing thing. Go for it, NOW. The guilt is not yours. It belongs to the abuser. Stop carrying it for her/him
There is also help for the PTSD that goes with this. National Center for PTSD.
News for the Soul.
Would you like to listen to, read about, good news for a change?
Check this one out:)
News for the Soul.
Sugar Bowl.
From the Times Picayune Final Destination.
GO LSU!!!
From French Quarter Fiction: The Newest Stories of America's Oldest Bohemia. Be sure to check out my story, ANNIE.
Thank you Louisiana for how good you have been to me!
Shattered Lives in Wake of Quake.
From the Washington Post and and Karl Vick: Starting Over on Ancient Ground Iranians Struggle As Some peak Of Rebuilding Bam.
We Need to Study History.
To understand who were are; to understand why we are the way we are; to understand our potential; to understand each other, we need to study history.
We are more comfortable with that which is familiar. We can learn to live with what we understand, with what we learn we can do something about. It is a very small and fragile planet, and, once again, it is all about choices well founded in knowledge not in raging emotions.
You can start here: World History.
"Reflecting Absence".
From CNN.com Winning WTC memorial design by Michael Arad revealed.
We will rebuild. It is who we are.
Through all of this we must be aware of who we truly are; each of us as individuals, each of us as part of the "grand experiment" that didn't fail.
Our Constitution gives us room to grow; may our hearts do the same.
May this design help us remember those we have lost. Let us honor their deaths with the way we live our lives.
An Oasis from all the Angst.
I came upon a beautiful site this morning.
SnowwOwl.
Take the time to read the writings in the Guest Contributions beginning with What is Freedom by Red Feather.
In the news.
We have pictures from Mars as we reach out into the solar system on our way to the Prime Directive. For many of us, Kirk and Picard are sort of "family." But they are not there to save us, to save the Universe. That we must do ourselves. Can we grow into those roles? Only if we decide to "Engage," and to "Make it so."
From CNN.com and Reuters Astronomers find sun's 'twin'.
Meanwhile, back here on planet, "in country" as it were:
From the Washington Post Iraq's Arsenal Was Only on Paper
Since Gulf War, Nonconventional Weapons Never Got Past the Planning Stage By Barton Gellman.
From CNN.com Sky marshals plan brings backlash.
From Fox News.com Pointing Fingers at Fingerprinting by Neil Cavuto. There are 6 consecutive words in this article that disturb me. Can you guess what they are?
A Purple Heart - 62 Years Later.
From the Folsom Telegraph and Susan Laird Sixty-two years later, Purple Heart awarded
Survivor of Bataan death march is finally honored
.
Please note what James M. Hildebrand has to say about the study of history!
War Casualties Continue to Mount.
From the AP Press and the Times Picayune of New Orleans A daily look at U.S. military deaths in Iraq.
Government and Religion.
The debate over the place of religion in our government has gone on since its inception with both sides of the issue adamant in their positions.
Common Dreams.org One Nation, Under Secularism by Susan Jacoby.
George Washington's prayer :
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of ubordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United states at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen."
Many peoples from many nations have come to the United States since Washington's time. We have moved from the "melting pot" to "multi-culturalism" and with that the debate on government and religion continues, indeed, perhaps intensifies.
In 1954 the words "Under God" were added to the Pledge of Allegiance, and thus it became a prayer as well as a pledge. For a history of this oath, visit with The Pledge of Allegiance A Short History
by Dr. John W. Baer. and if you haven't ever read Edward Bellamy's, Looking Backward, 1888 mentioned at the site, you might just consider doing so. Project Gutenberg. AND, if you are interested in helping to proof books for preservations Distributed Proofreading.
The debate will continue.
Day is Done.
Today we see the passing of Alfred Pugh, the last known combat-wounded U.S. veteran of World War One. He knew the Meuse-Argonne and in 1999 was honored as Chevalier of the National Order of the Legion of Honor of France.
They went "Over There" to make the world safe for democracy. They went to fight the "War to End All Wars." They went through hell in trenches, in No Man's Land.
I recall when a student trying to do research came to me and told me that there was no World War II, just something called the Great War. His problem was that his encyclopedia dated from 1938 and did not have the second war after the War To End All Wars.
Rest in peace, Mr. Pugh and thank you for your service.
Last Wounded U.S. WWI Veteran Dies at 108.
Adaptations That Came From Necessity.
From Susan B. Glasser and the Washington Post Handmade Versions Of Soviet History An Artist Shows Off Makeshift Objects People Used to Cope With Shortages. A look back at the USSR and consumer product shortages.
Casualty Rates Continue to Rise.
We don't see them being shipped home on the news everyday like we did with Vietnam, but the numbers rise nonetheless.
From CNN.com
100th U.S. military death reported in Afghanistan.
U.S. helicopter goes down west of Baghdad Homemade bomb kills U.S. soldier.
From the AP Press, Sarah Deeb, and the Times Picayune of New Orleans: Hundreds demonstrate in Iraqi city to protest woman's arrest.
Mars and the Moon.
From CNN.com and Miles O'Brien Bush to seek billions for moon, Mars treks.
From Modbee.com the AP Press and Scott Lindlaw Bush to announce manned missions to Mars, moon.
From the Washington Times and Charles Rousseaux Shooting for the Moon?
VETERANS' OWNED SMALL BUSINESS PROCUREMENT PROGRAM.
"Engage."
Bush Speech at NASA HQ.
Transcript of President Bush's Speech at NASA HQ.
Baby, It's Cold Outside.
For those of you suffering from the winter onslaughter of the snow and deep freeze, please be careful. Join CNN.com for some things that may help you get through it. Special Report: Winter Weather.
500 + 1.
That is the number this morning; 501 GI's lost in this war. That doesn't include the wounded.
Numbers are cold things when we look at them.
We need to put them in perspective.
What was the size of your high school graduating class? Does that make the number 501 seem more real?
It is the election year. We hear endless campaign speeches, endless promises, allegations, whatevers. I am not hearing how hopefuls would deal with this war, piece by piece, step by step, peace by peace.
I do not want to hear about a "secret plan" for peace. We have been there, done that. We need to get beyond the glitz and get to the plans to sort this all out. Who has what plan?
While the electoral process is set up in Iraq, people are dying; people are being injured; lives are being turned upside down on all sides.
I am all for the exploration of space; but we have this space to deal with now. We have a question to ask of ourselves; what will we take with us into space? What do we intend to do with space once we get there?
From CNN.com Three U.S. soldiers among 5 killed in Iraq blast American death toll rises to 500 since war began.
From the AP Press and the Times Picayune:
State-by-state breakdown of U.S. deaths in the Iraqi conflict.
American soldiers killed in action since World War II.
A Salute to Our Veterans.
From the Washington Post
and Daniel Williams Clerics Urge Shiites to Protest
Call for Iraqi Elections Carries Hint of Violence.
and Robin WrightU.N. Support Crucial in Iraq, U.S. Says
White House Plans To Appeal to Body To Send Envoys.
Faces of the Fallen.
We must look at these faces and demand answers from all the candidates. We owe those who served and gave their all that much. We owe those who served and are wounded that much.
" If not now, when?"
Daniel Webster.
Webster was born on January 18, 1782.
He was noted for his eloquence.
When was the last time that you sat down and read something from the archives of our history?
Sometimes it is good to take a "refresher course" about who we are and where we came from.
Our road to January 18, 2004 has not been smooth.
Our roses have had thorns; they have been bloodied.
Mr. Webster is noted for this speech.
Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and Inseparable
JANUARY 26, 1830.
"I Have a Dream".
Many of you will be off work tomorrow.
Some of you are old enough to remember this speech.
For others it will be new.
Dr. Martin Luther King I Have a Dream.
Demands for Elections in Iraq.
From CNN.com
Iraqis march ahead of U.N. meeting.
Japan in historic Iraq deployment.
Danish army: Iraqi shells WMD-free.
From the Washington Post
Blood, Bewilderment and Rage By Pamela Constable.
Foreign Policy in Court.
Turning Troops Into Teachers Popular Program Becomes Recruiting Tool for Hard-to-Fill Classroom Jobs
By Rosalind S. Helderman.
Khe Sanh.
Remembrances of Khe Sanh By Jim Wodecki USMC, FLC, FLSG-A, Khe Sanh 66-67.
State of the Union.
From Naples, Florida, the Naples Daily News Full Text of President Bush's State of the Union Speech.
From CNN.com Response from Pelosi, Daschle.
From the Washington Post and David Von Drehle
Analysis A Reactive Tone Shows His Ears Have Been Burning.
From the Washington Post Foreign Service and Pamela Constable Chaplain Puts Green Beret Past to Use With Troops
Exploits Inspire 'Awe Factor' in Iraqi Thicket.
Election 2004.
From the Washington Post Election 2004.
Please note: Look where it says Election 2004 and click on Comparing the Candidates: Choose the Issues and See the Differences.
Putting Things Into Perspective.
Sometimes we need to sit back and remember that we are caretakers of a very fragile planet.
From Southwestern England comes a reminder that we are not the only inhabitants of this earth. If you put things on the scale of the scope of the planet's history, they begin to fall into perspective. We all need perspective. We all need to remember that we are not the only life forms.
From CNN.com 50,000-year-old mammoth found in gravel pit.
If you have never read the story, perhaps you should find a copy of Ray Bradbury's, There Will Come Soft Rains. It is an interesting reminder of our fragility on a quite different level. This one will especially appeal to you Techies out there!
By the way, some of our feathered co-habitants are in danger. Can you help? Help a Whooping Crane.
Down History Lane: The Blizzard of 1888.
This has been a bad winter weatherwise, but we do have the advantages of heated homes, indoor privies, and weather forecasting.
In March of 1888 New York City was hit with a surprise blizzard of staggering proportions.
Keep the faith, Spring will come.
In letters and pictures, the Blizzard of 1888
Blilzzard of 1888.
Picture History.
A New Constitution for Afghanistan.
From the AP Press, Stephen Graham and the Times Picayune Afghan president signs new constitution.
9/11 Panel Findings.
From the Washington Post and Dan Eggen
9/11 Panel Faults U.S. For Letting Hijackers In .
Center for Immigration Studies.
A Curriculum of United States Labor History for Teachers.
Sponsored by the Illinois Labor History Society.
WMD Findings.
From CNN.com Bush defends Iraq war in face of WMD findings.
Iraq.
From CNN.com Truck bomb detonates outside Baghdad hotel.
Home Schooled Kids Go Off to College.
From CNN.com Home-schooled students head to college.
Tet Offensive.
Thirty-six yeare ago, or yesterday.
The Tet Offensive of 1968.
Vietnam.
Published on Sunday, September 30, 2001 in the Los Angeles Times Vietnam's 1968 Tet Offensive Offers Parallels for Today by A.J. Langguth.
Surprised at Tet: U.S. Naval Forces in Vietnam, 1968 by Glenn E. Helm Reference Librarian, Navy Department Library, Naval Historical Center.
Something to Think About.
From the Washington Post and Ellen Goodman Echoes of McNamara and 'Nam.
WMD Inquiry.
From CNN.com Bush to pick panel for WMD inquiry, official says
Independent probe of intelligence has bipartisan support.
A Different Perspective.
Sometimes it is good to look at things from a different viewpoint. Join CNN.com and some graduate architecture students from Spokane Students find beauty along mundane highway.
How many other things in our lives do we need to step back from at look at from a different viewpoint?
It is Not What the Situation is But What You Take to IT.
Next Thursday is Mr. Lincoln's birthday. You all remember the stories of the log cabin, old barrel, learning to read in less than perfect circumstances. Whatever your feelings about Mr. Lincoln, he did "carry on" despite many obstacles.
The History Place Presents Abraham Lincoln.
Some of us are snow bunnies, others, like me, aren't, but these people like the challenge of the snow and ice. There are some good survival tips in this piece, and with the winter the way it has been, I thought it would be a good idea to draw your attention to it.
From CNN.com and Helyn Trickey Snow campers brave elements for icy wonderland.
It has been said that courage is not the lack of fear, but showing up, and taking a stand. Your resolve in any situation is your strength.
Phenomenal Women.com.
Are you someone who needs help?
Do you know someone who needs help?
This is a good place to start: Phenomenal Women of the Web.
There are many things in our world that we do not like to talk about. They need not only talking about, but doing something about. Domestic violence, whether directed to spouse, male or female, or to children is one of those things.
Abuse, physical or verbal, is destructive to all concerned. Trying to "make it better" doesn't work. Excuses for it don't work. Getting help, getting away from it does work. Start, start today.
At the Movies.
I haven't ever before recommended a movie here, but these three are special.
The are about friendship, determination, courage, temptation, courage, good and evil, courage, and choices.
I have been a Tolkien fan for many, many years.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a cinemagraphic wonder. If you haven't seen them, you are missing something truly special.
From CNN.com Hobbits capture key Hollywood award.
Lord of the Rings - Articles and Essays.
Yes, there is violence in them. It is interesting that we talk about the violence in movies when there is so much in the news, in the newspapers, and yet we seem to take that for granted.
It has been said that the really big things that have been done in history have come from the work of one, or a small group of people. That has been true on both sides of the struggle between good and evil.
The Lord of the Rings is a tale of the forces of good going against the seemingly all powerful forces of evil. It is a story of even parts of nature joining the side of the good. That in itself gives pause to think.
It is a tale told on a bigger than life scale. It is a tale of individual choices.
It is a tale of great courage, and courage is being there, scared, of course, but being there.
If you can't get to the movies, then do get to the library.
Changes for the Army.
From the Washington Post and Thomas E. Ricks Army Policy To Reduce Soldier Relocations Change Seeks to Aid Training, Family Life By Thomas E. Ricks.
Violence in a Time of War.
From Time Online Edition and By BRIAN BENNETT | ARBIL Will Iraq Start to Unravel?.
From CNN.com Car bomb kills 45 would-be Iraqi soldiers Attack comes day after explosion kills 50.
From the Times Picayune and the Associated Press Deadly attacks in Iraq since war began.
On CNN tonight 9 ET National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice talks with Larry King about WMD and why we went to war with Iraq
"Greatest Threat to Humanity Today".
From CNN.com Bush: WMD greatest threat to humanity Calls for new efforts to stop proliferation.
Operation Homecoming, 1973.
Operation Homecoming.
C-141 Played Role in Repatriation of Prisioners.
Vietnam War: Operation Homecoming.
Picture History: Operation Homecoming.
Thank you for your service.
Art and Storytelling from Denmark: Asbjorn Lonvig.
Sometimes we need to be reminded that there is bright color, joy, and caring in the world. We become numbed by one negative news report after another.
But there is another view of life.
A view of life filled with vibrancy, and hope.
From Denmark join Asbjorn Lonvig. in a world of vibrant art and storytelling.
Something to Think About.
There is positive energy is being for something constructive, healing, and loving.
This thought from George Bernard Shaw:
This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
Remember this idea from Maslow - It is not what has happened to you, it is what you have done with the experience that counts.
Happy Valentine's Day.
Law making in Iraq.
From the Times Picayune and Jim Krane of
The Associated Press U.S. administrator threatens veto of Iraqi Islamic law measure.
Islamic Law: Sharia.
Forgotten Heroes.
Many people in this country are not aware that dogs did active service in Vietnam.
Visit with these American Forgotten Heroes: Vietnam War Dogs.
Darwin.
With evolution still such a source of argumentation...
From CNN.com Remains of Darwin's ship may lie under Essex mud.
Thank you for your patience.
We're back. All the computer stuff is finished.
Here in Louisiana it is Mardi Gras time, so Laissez les bon temps rouler.
Let the good times roll.
Mardi Gras was cancelled during WWII. As I understand it, it was cancelled one year for the Korean War, none for the one in Vietnam.
For those of you who can't join us, well, share the party at Mardi Gras.
And, there are still hotel rooms available!
From Iraq:
CNN.com Bremer: No Iraqi polls for a year.
Japan on alert as troops depart.
And to add a little perspective to our wars and our parties, something to think about here:
From CNN.com and Robert Roy Britt Black hole seen ripping star apart.
Planetoids, Termites, and Travel.
Once again we are reminded of the vast expanse of the Creation, however we believe it came to be. And once again we need to think about our place in it all.
From CNN.com:
Astronomers spy 'planetoid' half Pluto's size.
By Michael Schulder Hidden, hungry invader threatens city of Mardi Gras.Avid wreckers: City fights Formosan termites
Tennessee: Trail to trace diverse religious heritage.
Questions About the Use of the Military in a Free Society.
From Fox News.com and Peter Brownfeld Defining the Domestic Role of the Military.
To clarify some of the references in the above, please visit with:
Reporting from the front lines: US in WWI.
WWW-VL: HISTORY: USA: 1910-1920.
A. Mitchell Palmer.
Soviet Ark.
Paralyzed Veterans Meet With Young People.
Paralyzed Vets visit with Maryland Youth.
Origins of Mars?.
From CNN.com Mars rover discoveries point to planet's origins.
Back here on earth, from the Times Picayune and the Newshouse News Service, the plant that plagues the South just might have a silver lining! Kudzu may help fight age-related diseases.
Bringing History Alive at Valley Forge.
Those of you who have visited the area know how lovely Valley Forge is. It is also home to a large part of our history as a democratic people.
Here is something to look forward to!
From the Philadelphia Inquirer and Nancy Petersen A museum molded for Valley Forge By Nancy Petersen.
Louisiana Soldier Killed in Iraq Honored at Home.
From the Times Picayune and the Associated Press Fallen soldier from Alabama unit honored in Louisiana hometown.
Veteran Mental Health Care.
From NPR All Things Considered VA Mental Health Services.
Putting Things in Perspective. Remy Benoit
Perhaps it is because I am getting older.
Aren't you supposed to get a bit grumpy as you get older?
But watching the TV, the new "reality show" ads, the in your face extremely bad taste commercials, I can't help but wonder where are our heads are?
What passes for "family" entertainment and commercials makes me wonder "whose family, on what planet?"
I am not into the "ah, in the good old days we" thing.
Were the 50's good old days? Korea, McCarthy, Hungary, Cold War?
How about the 60's? Assassinations, Cuba, Vietnam, cities burning? When young people tell me they wish they had lived in the 60's, well, I tell them, "No, no you don't."
Then there are the 70's, 80's, 90's. Which of them rank as the "good old days?"
I read Jimmy Breslin's piece this morning from Newsday.com
It is not pleasant. It is certainly in your face, as it should be, about our perspectives, our priorities. It is not for the sensitive, but maybe, just maybe it is time that we get sensitive; that we face reality; that we see the face of the soldier "on Page 18" and when we paste up our newspapers we do a little re-shuffling of priorities, perspectives, and sensitivities.
From Jimmy Breslin and Newsday.com Haunted By A Soldier's Face.
Iraq - Arabs and Kurds.
From the AP Press, Scherezade Faramarzi, and the Times Picayune Kirkuk.
War and Military Families.
From David Wood and Newhouse News War's Invisible Casualties: The Families of Part-Time Soldiers.
You Can Help Make Things Better.
This morning I direct your attention to two organizations that want to help heal the world.
What can a $10 a month contribution possibly do to help alleviate suffering? Go to The $10 Club.
Are you concerned about the state of the Mississippi River and other rivers? Find out what is happening to clean them up at Living Lands and Waters.
Violence Rocks Iraq on Ashura Holy Day.
From CNN.com Blasts rock Baghdad, Karbala.
Ashura.
An Oasis.
Some of you may be familiar with the site
Inner Self.com.
It offers you a wide range of essays, book reviews, insights that will help provide an oasis of comfort, growth, and thought to your day.
This is a featured article by Gerald G. Jampolsky who talks with us about the choice between fear and love. Being Love.
Today in US History.
It is the 3rd of March.
Lots of things that will ring familiar made their debut on this day. This is an interesting site and you can check out your own birthday too.
Those Were the Days.
End of an Era.
From CNN.com Godzilla taking a break -- for now
Japanese film producer putting star on hiatus.
Spring Is On Its Way.
Spring is reaching out to us here in Louisiana,reminding us that life reaches for itself; for growth and fruition.
I have planted many vegetables and flowers as well as fruit bearing bushes. There is joy and connection in garden work and I believe it is a responsibility of parenting to teach the young the satisfaction of preparing food they have grown.
I don't feel that canning and drying food should be allowed to become "forgotten arts."
If you would like to know about these arts, I suggest the series of Foxfire books and John Seymour's The Self-Sufficient Life and How to Live It: The Complete Back-to-Basics Guide.
There are many rituals and traditions surrounding Spring. For information on these do visit Solstice and Equinox.
Plant something in the ground, in a pot, in an old teacup and enjoy watching it grow.
Start a compost pile to help give back to the earth.
Take a walk in the sun.
Say hello to blooming cherry tree.
Re-connect and touch Creation.
Be what you want the world to be.
If you would like to share your feelings about Spring do write to me through Feedback.
Blessings,
Remy
American Heritage Magazine.
I would like to bring your attention to the March 2004 issue of American Heritage Magazine.
There are some articles I feel would be of particular interest to you:
Mike McLaughlin's Anatomy of a Crisis about the USS Maddox in the Tonkin Gulf;
Kevin Baker's "Your Brave and Early Fallen Child..." How Should a President Honor the War Dead?;
David Hackett Fischer's The Spirit of '76.
You may visit with American Heritage Magazine.
and with the USS Maddox Association.
Needs of Veterans.
From Scott Heiser,the Colorado Daily ( University of Colorado), and Veterans for Common Sense: War's hidden costs.
A Perspective on Economics 101.
From Thom Hartmann and Common Dreams.org Democracy - Not "The Free Market" - Will Save America's Middle Class.
10th Planet?.
While the new Spanish government is planning on pulling troops out of Iraq in the coming months Spain PM-elect: Troops out of Iraq.
and the election debates go on Officials defend Bush from Kerry criticism.
scientists may have found the 10th planet of the solar system: Scientists find '10th planet'.
KEEP IN MIND - WHILE THE CAMPAIGNING GOES ON AND B-BALL GAMES ARE ON THE TUBE - OUR SOLDIERS ARE IN IRAQ - THEY ARE DOING A SOLDIER'S DUTY AND THEY ARE BEING WOUNDED AND THEY ARE DYING.
Do them the honor of looking into their faces and thanking them for their lives. It doesn't matter what your position is on this war - they are paying the price. From CNN.com again Forces: U.S. & Coalition/Casualties.
Windstar Wildlife Institute.
A friend sent me pictures of Mars today.
Scientists feel that they have perhaps found the 10th planet in the Solar System.
I chat with "invisible ink" here with people across the world each day.
The solar system, the planet itself, grows smaller everyday. We know of things, we use things, unimagined by most of the people who ever lived.
I took a walk today with my son around the property. There are tiny wildflowers popping up all about in all their pink, yellow, white, and purple wonder. Daffodils, hosta, gladiolas are reaching for the sun.
The crayfish are busy building their fascinating mounds.
Life flourishes with abundance when we encourage it. The climbing roses are reaching for support.
The planet asks for our support.
Click and read the interview with Thomas Patrick, WindStar Wildlife Institute.
And then, visit with WindStar.
Two Tropical Birds Join the Extinct List.
From by Joshua Reichert, the Los Angeles Times, and Common Dreams. One by One, the World Is Becoming a Lonelier Place.
Budgets and National Parks.
From USA Today and By Kitty Bean Yancey Cost crunch will force national parks to slash services Reports warn of 'crippling' cuts.
Differing Interpretations of the News.
From CNN.com Powerful blast shatters Baghdad hotel.]
From Reuters and CNN.com House terrorism debate turns bitter.
From CNN.com Spain: Hunt stepped up for bombers.
The world mourns the losses that Spain has suffered. Know that our prayers are with you.
From CNN.com Muslims, Europeans 'wary' of U.S.
From Mark Engler and Tom Paine.com The Movement's Momentum.
From Salim Lone, Globe and Mail, and Common Dreams.org Spain: An Example For Us All Madrid's Decision to Pull its Troops from Iraq Unless the UN Takes Over Doesn't Give in to Terrorists -- it Undercuts Them.
George Bush.
John Kerry.
From the AP Press and the Times Picayune Congress-Iraq-Resolution.
From Jim Abrams, the AP Press and the Times Picayune House Iraq resolution turns into partisan debate.
On the Practical Side.
This website was sent to me today and I thought it might be useful to some of you. Thanks for pointing it out, Barry.
Mr. Fix It.
A Personal Note: Northeast High, Philadelphia, 122nd Class.
This June we celebrate the 40th anniversary of our high school graduation.
THAT is very hard to believe!!
I am curious as to whether some of you are still following " The Impossible Dream. "
I wonder how many of you still live in the same area or have moved far from home.
I wonder what joys and woes life has brought you and how you have lived through them.
You won't recognize this name; women do have name changes :)
But I will give you a couple hints that narrows down such a huge Baby Boomer class.
My hair was reddish brown, still is; I was very shy, and took Latin for 4 years.
And I would love to hear from you.
So, just click on feedback and say "Hey."
Blessings,
Remy
A Thought for the Day and Every Day.
We live in a time of incredible change.
No one of us could even begin to process the amount of information available to us each day.
Yet with all the labor saving devices, with all the instant communication, day by day we seem to have less and less time.
Perhaps because of the time crunch, and workers in the US have less vacation than other comparable cultures, while many people have no idea of even the concept of vacation time, little thought, little attention is given to the glaring information, the reality, that hunger, disease, poverty, starvation, and war are still very much a part of our lives on the planet.
The technology will continue to change, perhaps even more quickly than we can keep up with it. That is a natural evolution.
The labor saving devices will continue to be developed following the same evolutionary lines.
We need to think about the planet; we need to think about how we are going to fuel all these innovations; we need to think about how we are going to bring them to all people, not just some people. We need to learn to share our milk and cookies as grownup, responsible Terrans.
And that brings us to the real work of this still new century.
The work of this century, the work of all of us this century, is work on the spirit; work on connecting with each other and the planet. We need new myths, connecting myths, that show us our similarities rather than feed our differences.
We need larger than life images so we can become larger than the ego life; so we can grow into the spirit and continue the Creation rather than destroy it, ourselves, and the planet.
In the words of Arnold Toynbee:
To get to know each other on a worldwide scale is the human race's most urgent need today.
Remember that to have peace one must be peace and that comes from inner work being reflected in outer life.
We can "make it so," but like anything else we want in our lives, we must truly want it.
Once again, we come back to choices.
Finding Your Own Path Home.
I would like to draw your attention to the April 2004 Issue of Better Homes and Garden Magazine and an article by Sharon Overton called Healing, Giving, Baking.
It is the story of one woman's journey to healing by keeping journals and baking cakes for her friends and her book shop specializing in cook books.
Each of us has a special love for something. Perhaps like this woman you can find peace through doing what you like to do.
You can visit Better Homes and Gardens. and find information on cooking, crafts, health, redecorating, and gardening, all good paths to healing.
And if you have a soft spot for the critters, click here Pet Photo Contest.
"(75 percent) believe veteran’s health care should be a "top to high funding priority" in the federal budget.".
From the Paralyzed Veterans of America...
"Most Americans (87 percent) also support making veteran’s health care funding mandatory."
For the full article: Americans Voice Strong Support for Veterans Health Care and Benefits; Most Say Veterans Issues Will Play Role in Election Decision.
HR 163.
Universal National Service Act of 2003 (Introduced in House).
In search box, type in HR 163
President Bush -Hans Blix - Colin Powell - Kofi Annan - and Others.
From Reuters, Common Dreams.org and Andrew Stern
Blix Says Iraq War May Have Worsened Terror Threat.
From Reuters, Common Dreams.org and Arshad Mohammed
Arab Journalists Walk Out of Colin Powell's Press Conference.
From Mother Jones.com The "A" Word.
From Fox News.com and Lisa Porteus Bush Marks First Anniversary of Iraq War.
Protest National and International.
From CNN.com Protesters rally against Iraq war, occupation
Worldwide demonstrations mark year of conflict.
From MoveOn.org Honor Our Troops.
A Different Dimension to Terrorism?.
From Time.com and Tony Karon Why the Qaeda Threat is Growing.
Funding Elections.
Did you ever wonder about funding political campaigns; where the money comes from; who donates to whom; what restrictions there are?
You will find some of the answers to those questions here: White House for Sale.
9/11 Revisited.
From CNN.com 9/11 panel holds public hearing Tuesday Rumsfeld, Powell to testify.
From Fox News.com Panel Probes Bush, Clinton Response to Al Qaeda.
From CBS News.com
Clarke's Take On Terror.
Excerpt: 'Against All Enemies'.
From the AP Press, Tom Raum, and the Dayton Daily News.com
White House Rebuts Ex- Bush Adviser Claim.
Commission Continues.
From Common Dreams.org and by John V. Whitbeck A Moment to Pause and Reflect.
From Fox News.com and Lisa Porteus Clarke: 'Your Government Failed You'.
From CNN.com Charges, countercharges on 9/11 Gripping testimony as panel ends hearings.
From the San Francisco Chronicle and Edward Epstein, Chronicle Washington Bureau Ex-terrorism chief Clarke tangles with GOP critics
Families of Sept. 11 victims praise his blunt testimony at hearing.
From the New York Times, Veterans for Common Sense.org The Things They Wrote
Fallen Soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom.
From Newhouse News and Bruce Alpert Veterans Protest Reduced Medical Exams for Returning Soldiers.
From AlterNet.org and David Sirota, Christy Harvey and Judd Legum The Progress Report: Analyzing the Testimony.
The Commission and Ms. Rice.
From CNN.com Bush insists he would have stopped 9/ 11 attacks if possible
Rice seeks another private meeting with commission .
Medical Problems with Troops.
From David Goldstein, Knight Ridder Newspapers and Veterans for Common Sense.org -Pentagon Confirms.
We Still Have a Long Way to Go.
Does it surprise you that " 80% of all refugees and displaces persons globally are women and children?"
That is simply one thing that Women For Women. can explain to you. Please visit them.
S1353 `Widows and Orphans Act of 2003'. could help protect women and children at risk.
An International Priority List. Remy Benoit
Early this morning I took our little puppy Boo out for a walk. The sun was just coming up and its rays filtered and dispersed through the mist onto a patch of clover. It was lovely, quiet, and yes, holy.
As I read and listen to the news, I am, like you are bombarded with negativity, fear, anger.It doesn't make me feel like the sun on the clover did this morning.
Here in the States it is an election year with all kinds of questions being raised, all kinds of accusations being made, all kinds of special interest groups with their own particular voices.
The international news is of the same nature.
We tend to have our priority lists of what needs to be done this day, this week, this month, this year. What we haven't caught on to is that what happens everywhere else on this fragile blue planet impacts on that list.
People are starving in huge numbers "out there;" wars are waging across the globe. Some of you may have someone you love involved in one of them. Some of you are living with, suffering with the residuals of another one. Some of those "out there starving" are just around the corner from you.
There are children from ghettos who cannot conceive of what the word forest means, nor what a warm bed is, or food enough to keep the pains away.
There are adults trying to make it with no jobs available; with bills piling up with no way of repayment. There are people with two minimum wage jobs, and no health benefits from either, who are still not making it.
There are people living in tin covered, leaking, non-heated hovels sans plumbing on poor and non-productive soil that they are trying to bring to fruition.
There is religious, racial, gender, international intolerance, misunderstanding, and non-communication. And because of that, the long, but only partial list of ills, above will continue.
There is the "bottom line" in numbers in ledgers with no thought of the human component of the bottom line.
The media assaults our sensitivities with increasingly vulgar displays and call it "family entertainment."
It is said that we get what we accept. These things all continue because we allow them to. Your voice can make a difference.
http://www.niquahanam.com The Niquahanam Project: Help to Heal the World is a place where you can share your ideas about how to start prioritizing the above list which is barely inclusive. You many add to that environmental concerns, child care, needs for substantial reforms in education, the need to keep the morals observed on your respective weekly Holy Day in tact during the week. The moral structure of the workplace should reflect those propounded on the Holy Days, not the bottom line. If you do not observe one of those a week, well, then the old Golden Rule will do nicely.
Does your village need a well, need schoolbooks? Let us know on the site so others can see your need and hopefully move to fulfill it. School textbooks by the gross go into dust bins each and every June here.
By the way, the folks down in Key West have more chickens and turkeys than they know what to do with. Maybe you need some?
If you are alone, or want someone to "talk with" on line, to share ideas with, let them know.
If you have an idea but not the technical skill to work it out, ask for help.
Ask questions that you would like answered; give answers you have to questions.
Share a story, share a poem, an experience, something that you have learned that might help someone else; in helping someone else, you are helping all of us.
If you need a link or an e-mail activated, click on Feedback and I will see to it.
Do not just sit back and say it is all falling apart, that there is no hope. Do something, say something, share something.
When I was growing up, we had that insane policy of Mutually Assured Destruction. Yes, it truly was quite MAD. But if we don't try to learn about each other, help each other, factor in the humanity being crushed in bottom lines, dying from residuals of wars in their bloodstreams, we are still so much following that path.
Are you aware that all across Europe and Russia, active munitions are still being dug out of the ground from WWII, WWII and in some cases the 1870 war?
Are you aware of what landmines are doing across the globe?
Are you aware that the US is a non-signatory to landmine regulation?
The only way we can prioritize the needs of the planet is if we work together on it.
Express your views, ideas, book reviews, site recommendations, frustrations, observations, ideas, needs with grace and dignity. This is an international family site and vulgarity is not the thing to be bringing to it. Bombs generate more bombs, and so does lack of control in expressing your self generate more fear, hate, and anger. Be for something, try to steer it into a human and planet friendly course.
Again, again, again...it is all in the choices we make.
Again, again, again...it is like Einstein said you cannot solve problems with the same thinking that made them.
Step out of the box and into some new shoes, your own, or take that proverbial walk in someone else's and blaze a new path.
Join us at The Niquahanam Project: Help to Heal the World. a pro bono site for the well being of all of us. Please forward this to your friends as an Open Invitation to share themselves and their ideas with all of us.
Blessings,
Remy Benoit
Military Order of the Purple Heart.
There are many Veterans out there who have earned a Purple Heart.
Do you know what that means?
You can learn about what is necessary, what they have gone through to earn it, at Purple Heart Explanation.
Purple Heart. has information about Veterans benefits, affairs, claims, scholarships, etc.
YOU can help them during this special event drive by sending a $10 donation to:
Tony Rivera at
MOPH
National Region I Commander
1647 William Street
Fort Lee, NJ 07024-2624
They were there for you - please be there for them. And hey, add a note on your check that says, Thank you for your service. You may have no idea how much that means; or maybe you do.
Casualties Mount.
From CNN.com and Mike Mount March second-deadliest for U.S. troops.
From CNN.com
9/11 panel scours Clinton records.
From Common Dreams.org Floor Statement of Sen. Daschle.
If You Served In These Areas You Should Be Aware and HURRAH for Danville.
From Veterans for Common Sense and Reuters522 U.S. Soldiers in Iraq Hit with Leishmaniasis, a Parasitic Skin Infection.
And from Veterans for Sense, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Jim Herron Zamora
SOMETHING TO WARM YOUR HEARTS!!
Welcome Home, Soldier.
"Flawed Sources".
From CNN.com Powell: 'Flawed sources' behind pre-war U.N. testimony.
From Tom Paine.com and Traci Hukill Conscientious Objectors.
From Fox News.com and the AP Press Powell Not Sure Iraq Trailers Were Labs.
Water to Land.
From Scientific American.com
Fins to Limbs.
We need to look beyond ourselves in a vast perspective of the life and our universe to put things in our lives in order.
From The AP Press, The Winnipeg Sun and Alicia Chang Rat genome mapped out
Offers clues to disease research.
From the Hubble Site News Center Hubble's Deepest View Ever of the Universe Unveils Earliest Galaxies.
Cost of War in Iraq by the Minute.
Cost of War.
In the News.
From the New York Times, Mercury News, Douglas Jehl and David E. Sanger Rice at center of terror dispute.
From the San Francisco Chronicle EDITORIAL A free press in Iraq.
From Fox41.com U.S. Launch Operation "Vigilant Resolve" In Fallujah.
From the AP Press, Khalid Mohammed, and Common Dreams.org 10 U.S. Troops Killed in Iraqi Violence.
For Background on the area:
Islamic History.
Middle East History.
Sun Tzu: The Art of War.
Carl Von Clausewitz: On War.
Iraq.
From Bloomberg.com Richard Keil and Joe Sobczyk Bush Affirms Iraq Deadline; Kerry Calls for Diplomacy.
From China View.net Baghdad confident of containing violence: Iraqi interim FM>
War and its Concomitants.
From Newhouse News and Dave Parks Historians Trace Modern Drug Industry Back to Civil War.
From New House News and Mark O'Keefe Desecration of the Dead Sends a Powerful Message to Enemies.
Lawmakers Compare Engagements.
From CNN.com
Lawmakers compare Iraq to Vietnam White House rejects comparisons.
Holy Days in April.
Passover.
Easter.
We need to learn about each others' beliefs...we need to think about our commonalities more than our differences. That way we have a chance to understand the common needs of humans. If we do that we just might leave something of worth as a legacy to our children.
News for Us Cat Lovers.
Oh, yes, there are cats here! 4 ladies.
But how long have they been around the houses of humans? From azcental.com and Dan Vergano House cats date back 9,500 years, excavation finds.
Iraq a Year Later.
From Mercury news.com and Patrick Peterson and Carol Rosenberg Knight Ridder
6 Americans killed in Iraq as violence presses on.
From Boston.com and Audrey McAvoy, Associated Press, Public's anger over crisis tests Koizumi's leadership.
From the Sydney Herald and Reuters Clashes erupt in Baghdad, US offers Falluja truce.
From Cnn.com War in Iraq:Forces: U.S. & Coalition/Casualties.
Up close and personal The Memory Hole
US Military Personnel Wounded in Iraq & Afghanistan: A Running Log.
Iraqi Body Count Project.
War is not pretty. We have to look at it up close and personal. Those who are there are doing just that.
Protests in Central Highlands of Vietnam.
From CNN.com Violent clashes in central Vietnam.
This is Easter Sunday. To all of you abroad in service to your country, Be safe, God speed to bring you home to your loved ones.
Increasing Casualties.
From Veterans for Common Sense.org, cbsnews.com and the AP Press Six Hundred Dead in Fallujah; Sixty Six U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq this Month.
9/11 Hearings Continue.
Reno and Ashcroft Scheduled to testify on Tuesday.
From CNN.com and Terry Frieden
CNN Washington Bureau Justice, FBI officials prepare for 9/11 testimony.
From Common Dreams.org
and Walter Cronkite White House Hindering 9/11 Probe.
and Senator Robert Byrd A Call for an Exit Door from Iraq
by Senator Robert Byrd Senate Floor Remarks
April 7, 2004.
President Bush.
CNN.com
Bush stands firm on Iraq, war on terror.
The Casualties Grow and We Mourn.
From the New York Times and Monica Davey Deadly Week Ends in Tears for the Fallen.
War is Personal.
From CNN.com Hometown prays for captured soldier.
Civil War Heroes Honored.
From CNN.com 'Last funeral' of Civil War honors submarine crew.
Bob Woodward: Plan of Attack.
From Veterans for Common Sense, CBS News and Mike Wallace Journalist Shares War Secrets.
US Death Toll Reaches 700 in Iraq.
From CNN.com Eleven more U.S. troops die in Iraq
Spain to withdraw troops 'in the shortest time possible'.
Care for Veterans - Something for all of us to care about.
From Veterans for Common Sense, Diane Sawyer and Paul de la Garza ABC News and St. Petersburg Times
VA Scandals Unfold as Veterans Wait for Medical Care .
From CNN.com Bush urges Patriot Act renewed, expanded.
From Tom Paine.com and Thomas R Asher Losing Control.
From Tom Paine.com and Richard Dreyfuss God Made Me Do It.
From Fox News.com Ridge Forms New Terrorism Task Force.
From Fox News.com Jordanian King Postpones Bush Meeting.
Are you interested in the latest news on Veterans Issues?.
You can sign up for e-mail alerts on Veterans Issues at Google News Alerts: Veterans Issues.
Can You Read This?.
If you can read this, you know how essential reading is to life, to international understanding.
Visit with Room to Read. and see what you can do to help us understand each other.
Wouldn't we rather help children learn to read than see misunderstandings of each other lead to things like this Basra bombs kill at least 68 Iraqis 18 schoolchildren among the dead, police say.
Honoring the Fallen.
From Veterans for Common Sense, the Seattle Times and Hal Bernton The somber task of honoring the fallen.
Military History Dates.
In Vietnam, on this date, the Battle of the Hills began. For other dates in military history visit with Military History Dates.
A Marine was laid to rest yesterday at close to seventy. He was a good man. He liked to laugh. When I was a kid, he teased me good naturedly. He was my cousin.
Bob, you will be missed. Go with God.
A Heart Warming Welcome Home.
From the Times Union and JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST Soldier's mother opens heart, home to an army.
Iraq.
From Voice of America
Baghdad Blast Destroys Building, US Vehicles.
Dozens of Civilians, Several US Soldiers Die in Iraq Kerry Sheridan.
War and Terrorism and the Homefront.
From CNN.com Jordan says major al Qaeda plot disrupted.
From Howard Zinn and Common Dreams.org What Do We Do Now?.
Geroge Bush Agenda.
John Kerry Agneda.
It is necessary to the survival of a democracy that the voters understand the workings of government; that they keep themselves informed.
It is an election year. Do keep informed.
From the Past to the Present in Iran.
From Smithsonian Rocking the Cradle - Aratta.
This is a PDF file - you will need Adobe Acrobat
Veterans.
From CNN.com Bush calls for electronic medical records.
From Disabled Veterans of America David W. Gorman to Donald H. Rumsfeld.
Injuries.
From Veterans for Common Sense.com and Karl Vick of the Washington Post The Lasting Wounds of War.
Nightline Tribute to the Fallen.
From Reuters and Forbes.com
"Nightline" devotes show to reading war dead names.
Casualties Continue to Climb As Bush Addresses 9/11 Commission.
From ABC News.com and the AP Press U.S. Marines to End Siege of Fallujah
U.S. Marines to End Bloody Siege of Fallujah; All-Iraqo Force to Take Over City's Security.
World WAR II Memorial.
From Fox News.com and the AP Press
World War II Memorial Debuts.
Division Over Nightline.
From the Kansas City Star and LIZ HALLORAN of the
The Hartford Courant Nightline Divides Audience.
Iraq.
From CNN.com Bush speech anniversary draws scrutiny, commentary.
Help for Severely Disabled Vets.
From DefenseLINK News New Program Cuts Red Tape for Severely Disabled Soldiers.
Down History Lane - May 1970.
President Nixon: Cambodian Invasion.
An Iraq War Veteran Speaks. Remy Benoit
It is the weekend.
Yesterday storms raged through here bringing much needed rain. A new yellow rose is about to open this morning.
Some of you are in church now.
Some of you are swimming, fishing, sleeping in.
Much of Jazz Fest was rained out in New Orleans this weekend.
Have you had your morning coffee?
Have you had your hot shower; a dip in the pool?
Have you cut your grass, done your wash, watched the tube, the NBA playoffs, the Kentucky Derby?
Did you make toast, barbecue a burger or steak, scramble an egg?
Have you hugged your wife or husband or children?
Those are all normal things we do. And we should be doing them. But many of us are not home to do them.
We are not using ration stamps. We drive our cars, buy new tires, have lots of flour and sugar, if we are lucky; if we are not some of the millions of Americans without sufficient food or housing. We have those things if we are not senior citizens who have to make a choice between the cost of meds and the cost of food.
We are not planting Victory Gardens although many of us are raising vegetables.
Some of us are in an active combat zone that took heavy casualties last month. While we celebrated May Day, they knew war although we were told it was a Mission Accomplished a year ago.
Let us not forget them. Let us be there for them. Let us listen to them, the ones who are there; the ones who know what they need to do what we have sent them to do.
From CNN.com Iraq war vet says leaders must own up to errors.
Carter Center.
Jimmy Carter's organization to help bring about conflict resolution, global development, and human rights.
International Hope.
Peace Organizations.
Barbara Marx Hubbard.
Unity On Line.
Renaissance Alliance.
Hope Magazine.
What is Enlightenment?
Help to Heal the World.
If you have a favorite place of sharing and hope, please do share it with us.
Karbala and Najaf.
From Fox News.com and Paul Wagenseil Background: Karbala and Najaf.
Bush Proclaims annual National Day of Prayer and Asks for 25 Billion More.
Although Not in the Headline news,the first Thursday in May is
National Day of Prayer. You will need Adobe Acrobat for this.
From CNN.com
Bush asks for $25 billion more for Iraq, Afghanistan.
Official: Bush chastises Rumsfeld.
And on the subject of elections, and quality of leadership, from the Boston Globe, Common Dreams.org Five Qualities of Leaders We Can Trust by Diana Chapman Walsh.
With Saturday the anniversary of VE Day, it is interesting to note this quote from Ike -
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not clothed.
Can we make this an International Day of Prayer, not by decree, not by proclamation, but with our hearts?
Please Help Your Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger.
From CNN.com Letter carriers to 'Stamp Out Hunger'.
and from Grist Magazine.com Eyes on the Prize - Interviews with the 2004 winners of environmentalism's top prize by Michelle Nijhuis.
Need some links to uplift, inspire, motivate, make you know that you are not alone out there? Try this one!
Motivational and Inspirational Corner.
Down History Lane: VE Day.
May 8th is celebrated as VE Day. For you young ones, that means Victory over Europe, the end of the Third Reich.
For those of you who were there the memories must still be fresh, and intense.
War is a terrible thing, a lesson we are all still learning.
In the following link, New Yorkers remember VE Day. If you have memories to share of the end of WWII or another war, please just click on Feedback and do so.
From Newsday.com Long Islanders Remember V-E Day By Michael Dorman.
PRIME MINISTER CHURCHILL'S SPEECH TO V-E CROWDS IN LONDON.
So, buy a poppy, and say Thank you to a Veteran.
Commentary on Iraq.
From Sports Illustrated, Rick Reilly, and Veterans for Common Sense.org The Hero and the Unknown Soldier.
Normandy Vets Denied Right to Parachute.
From CNN.com this thought provoking piece. They were not too young to parachute onto the beaches once upon a time, but now they are too old to commemorate that jump.
Elderly WWII vets denied parachute into Normandy.
Is that, dare I ask, cricket?
Down History Lane.
HAMBURGER
HILL The Real Story 1969.
From NPR American RadioWorks 2000 Revisiting Vietnam.
Veterans Benefits Guide.
Draft?.
From Utne.com U.S. Preparing For Military Draft in Spring of 2005
Legislation in the works: Selective Service System already mobilizing —By Adum Stutz / Bob Keeler / Connor Freff Cochran, Vancounver IndyMedia.org / Newsday / AlterNet.
Gardens and Inspiration.
For those of you working with the seminar here, inspiration, a muse, can sometimes come from a garden.
Visit with Eudora Welty's garden. Gardens bring peace, healing, and often, words.
From CNN.com Mississippi: New life for Eudora Welty's garden.
About the Positive Side of Life.
Yes, the are many, many positives in life. There are people helping people all day long. There is joy, and life, and faith.
If you need a boost for positive thinking, do visit with Life Changing Advice.
Wolfowitz - Billions More.
From CNN.com Wolfowitz: Iraq, Afghan costs could top $50B Lawmakers, Official tangle over control of spending.
Honor Those Who Serve: Armed Forces Day.
Saturday, May 15th is Armed Forces Day.
Flag the flag and honor those who serve.
Armed Forces Day "A Tradition of Heroes" Saturday, May 15, 2004.
When was the last time that you......
When was the last time that you cleared the decks, stopped the "monkey mind" from chattering its endless repetitons?
From Earth Light.org and Gwen Gordon Play: The Movement of Love.
New Veterans and the VA.
From Veterans for Common Sense.org and Larry Margasak - AP Boston Globe As many as 22,000 Iraq, Afghan war veterans already seek care from VA system.
If You Are Headed Toward Charleston.
From CNN.com Charleston: Exhibit chronicles Civil War siege.
Wolfowitz.
It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it.
Robert E. Lee (1807 - 1870)
From CNN.com Wolfowitz.
A Thought.
Soldiers are coming to trial for alleged abuse.
Another is coming to trial perhaps for desertion for an anti-war stance.
There is unexpected resistance.
There is much questioning, buck passing, name calling etc.
But the bottom line for all of us, for each and every person who wakes and draws breath in the morning is that we are all accountable for our actions, inactions, and ultimately, for what is done in our names to each other and to the planet.
Are we reaching the place in history where we are beginning to understand that?
Do You Need Healing?.
The work of medical intuitive Carolyn Myss is much applauded.
She gives us wonderful insights into the mind - body connection.
Her work might be of tremendous value to you.
Visit with Carolyn Myss.
Foundation for a Better Life.
In a world where we are constantly confronted with bad news, it is good to have a place where you can share a positive story from your life and find those of others.
Take a look at the Foundation for a Better Life.
A Different Perspective: Buddhist Peacemakers.
From Peace Magazine Buddhist Peacemakers.
Bush to Speak on Iraq.
President Bush will speak from Carlisle on Monday, at 8 EST
From CNN.com Bush to speak on Iraq handover process.
Hope.
I went to the search engines tonight looking under the word HOPE.
There are many listings of all kinds.
We cannot live without hope. It is what keeps us going, drawing breath, getting out of bed in the morning, and taking on a new day.
We read the headline news and there are few things there to lift our spirits.
But think back to how many times in your life things seemed out of control, beyond your means, capacities, even coping. But you are here, and you made it through. Somewhere you found a ray of hope that lit the way at least to the beginning of resolution of whatever you were facing.
Make this HOPE DAY. Share a smile, say a prayer, say thanks for the day when you found a ray of hope.
There is HOPE, for all of it, if we share our strength, share our visions of things evolving and changing to the better through our efforts, no matter how small or insignificant those efforts or changes seem.
Those of you old enough will remember the old line:
It is better to light just one little candle than to curse the dark.
Light, and share, your candle, your smile, your vision and HOPE will spread and come, eventually, to fruition.
Blessings,
Remy
Bill Moyers - The Role of the Press.
Most people in the States know the name Bill Moyers.
On May 19th he spoke at a Newspaper Guild/Communication Workers of America dinner.
His words give us something to think about.
From Tom Paine.com An Eye on Power.
Tennesse v. Lane.
Supreme Court Decision on Amricans With Disabilities Act from the PVA A Statement from Paralyzed Veterans of America on the Supreme Court Decision in Tennessee v. Lane.
A Report from Landmine Survivors Network.
Land mine Survivors Network.
General Franks.
From CNN.com U.S. general's knighthood row.
Memorial Day Parades.
Here is a National listing of Memorial Day parades
Memorial Day Parades.
Ike: Countdown to D-Day.
Imagine, Tom Selleck old enough to play Ike while I am still sooo young!
On Arts and Entertainment, Selleck, our beloved Magnum, takes on the role of the Eisenhower at D-Day.
Tom Selleck as Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Down History Lane.
From CNN.com David Dellinger, one of the Chicago Seven, dies.
For those of you who are not familiar with the Chicago Seven and their trial, The Chicago Seven Conspiracy Trial by Douglas O. Linder.
The world turns, the days pass, and an article of clothing I ordered came the other day saying, "Made in Vietnam." It gives us pause to think.
.
Very Particular About Your Pizza?.
From CNN.com Italy sets strict pizza guidelines.
Dedication of World War II Memorial.
From CNN.com WWII memorial dedication to salute heroes.
Down History Lane :Stories of Civil War Heroes.
I had it pointed out to me that the television schedule is chock full of war movies this weekend.
The new World War II Memorial is being dedicated.
There are parades all about.
Thought to take you Down History Lane with Life Stories of Civil War Heroes. this morning.
While you are munching on those burgers and dogs, thank a Veteran for the air you breathe free.
From a Planetary Perspective.
From News FactorInnovation NASA Discovers Youngest Planet in the Universe By Rob Friedman.
From Reuters Abroad,
By Tan Ee Lyn and Carrie Lee Thousands defy China to march for democracy.
From SFGate Emotions abundant at WWII memorial outpouring of pride, sorrow for dedication.
Memorial Day.
I had a little e-mail chat the other day with a Veteran about the concept of courage.
It has been said that courage is showing up, being there, no matter how scared you are.
When I was a small child at the end of the Forties there was a man I knew only slightly.
He walked slowly, very slowly, when he went up and down the stairs to the rooming house where he lived. He had a habit of smoothing the brim of his hat when he talked; sliding his fingers around it and, I suppose, in the parlance of the times he was dapper in a Raymond Chandler sort of way. Even as a child I sensed that he knew much of the ways of the world.
He always smiled and said “Hello,” when he saw me. I never heard him complain, never saw him go in or out in a cranky frame of mind.
When I was a child we were told to mind our manners, not ask questions, especially personal ones like why a man who seemed so vibrant, so sure of himself, walked so very slowly up and down the stairs to his second floor front room; walked so stiffly in and out of the house.
I didn’t ask that question for several decades but finally did ask it of my dad.
The man in question it turned out had been a fighter pilot and had lost both his legs below the knee and had two artificial legs. The cane that I thought was part of his “look” served the function of balance for him, helped support his slow steps.
And yet this man still flew small planes. As he had shown up, where? the bloodied tides of the Normandy coast line? some atoll in the Pacific? he was still showing up for himself.
That too takes much, much courage.
I watched the dedication yesterday of the World War II Memorial. I watched the memories wash through eyes and over faces. I have seen the stare in so many of your eyes and yet you too are still showing the courage you showed your buddies by standing up, by being there for them when hell opened its doors and challenged.
To those of you who have served, I salute your courage wherever you found it; in the frozen ground of Korea, in the steaming heat of Vietnam, in desert sands, or cold mountain ridges - wherever, whenever. I salute your courage that you came home, welcomed or not, and took up lives despite the pain of memories that live in your hearts, souls, and bodies.
From the cold Delaware crossings, from Shiloh, from Chateau Thierry, from the Bulge, from Heartbreak Ridge, through the h